Senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal has expressed concern over the alleged absence of former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, who resigned from his post on July 22. Speaking to the media on August 9, Sibal remarked that there has been no public information about Dhankhar’s whereabouts since his resignation.
In a sharp jibe, Sibal said, “We have heard about ‘missing ladies,’ but this is the first time we’ve heard about a ‘missing Vice President.’” He urged the opposition to ensure Dhankhar’s safety.
Recalling his initial inquiry, Sibal stated, “On the first day, I called his personal secretary, who told me he was resting. Since then, there has been no communication, no location details, and no official update.” He questioned whether a habeas corpus petition might be necessary to locate him.
Highlighting their long-standing personal and professional ties, Sibal said Dhankhar had been a close friend with whom he had fought many legal battles. “If we end up filing an FIR, it wouldn’t look good,” he added sarcastically. Taking another dig, Sibal said, “You can track Bangladeshis from one place to another; I’m sure you can find him too.” He stressed that Dhankhar was not even at his official residence and that it would be helpful to know his location so he could visit him in person.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut has also raised the issue, writing to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on August 10. In his letter, Raut sought clarity on Dhankhar’s current location and health, stating that all attempts to reach him had failed.
Raut noted that Dhankhar resigned on the first day of the Parliament’s Monsoon Session, July 21. Sharing the letter on X, Raut wrote that even fellow Rajya Sabha members had been unable to make contact, and there has been no transparency on the matter.