NEW DELHI: Two weeks after the abrupt resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar from the post of Vice President, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Saturday raised questions about the whereabouts of the former VP and urged the home ministry to issue a statement on the same.
Speaking to reporters, the former Union Law Minister expressed concern about several of his colleagues also not being able to get through to Dhankhar.
“On July 22, Jagdeep Dhankhar, our vice president, resigned, and it is August 9 today, and since that day, we just do not know where he is. He is not in his official residence. On the first day, I tried to contact him, and his secretary picked up the phone and said he is resting,” Sibal said.
Sibal said he had heard of the movie Laapataa Ladies but never heard of a “laapataa (absent) vice president”.
In a sudden and surprise move, Dhankhar resigned as vice president on July 21, the first day of the Monsoon session of Parliament, citing health reasons. But opposition leaders have claimed that he was forced to resign.
Dhankhar was the vice president, and he supported the government throughout his tenure, but it now seems the opposition will have to protect him”, Sibal said, taking a swipe at the government. “What should we do? Should we file a habeas corpus?” he asked.
Shah should give a statement on where Dhankar is, as the home ministry would be aware of his whereabouts. His health was failing as well, Sibal said.
“So, is he getting treatment done somewhere? People of his family have also not said anything. What is the issue? We had heard of such things only in other countries, but India is democratic, so such things should be in the public domain,” he said.
“I had very good personal relations with Dhankhar. He was a lawyer with me, who argued many cases. I am concerned. It does not look nice that I go and file an FIR. There is no news from him, from his friends, or family,” the former Union minister said.
“I would like to urge the home minister, you have such resources, you send back Bangladeshis, he was, after all, our vice president, so you would know, so please give a statement on his whereabouts, “ the senior advocate said.