Abhishek Singhvi
Abhishek Manu Singhvi (born 24 February 1959) is an Indian lawyer and politician. As politician, he is a member of the Indian National Congress (INC) and a current Member of the Parliament of India representing West Bengal in the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of the Indian Parliament. He is also a spokesperson for the INC.[1] He is one of the senior Advocate of the Supreme Court of India.[2]
Abhishek Singhvi | |
---|---|
Singhvi at the India Economic Summit, 2008 | |
Member of Parliament Rajya Sabha | |
Assumed office 3 April 2018 | |
Preceded by | Tapan Kumar Sen (CPI(M)) |
Constituency | West Bengal |
Member of parliament, Rajya sabha | |
In office 24 April 2006 – 17 March 2009 | |
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha | |
In office 4 April 2012 – 3 April 2018 | |
Succeeded by | Madan Lal Saini (BJP) |
Constituency | Rajasthan |
Personal details | |
Born | Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India | 24 February 1959
Political party | Indian National Congress |
Spouse(s) | Anita Singhvi |
Relations | Laxmi Mall Singhvi (father) |
Children | 2 |
Alma mater | University of Delhi (BA) Trinity College, Cambridge (MA, PhD) Harvard University (PIL) |
Profession | Senior Advocate |
Website | www |
Early life
Singhvi was born in a Marwari family.[3] His father Laxmi Mall Singhvi was a scholar in Jain history and culture.[4] He was a renowned lawyer and India's former High Commissioner to the UK. He was elected to Rajya Sabha (1998–2004). His mother's name is Kamla Singhvi.
He completed his school from St. Columba's School. He obtained B.A.(Hons.), M.A., PhD, PIL educated at St. Stephen's College, Trinity College, Cambridge and Harvard University. Singhvi completed his PhD under constitutional lawyer Sir William Wade of Cambridge University. The topic of his doctoral dissertation at Cambridge University was on Emergency Powers.[5]
Personal life
Singhvi is married to ghazal and Sufi singer Anita Singhvi. They have two sons.
Positions held
Singhvi, at 37, became the youngest Additional Solicitor General of India, in 1997.[6] He held the position for a year, till 1998.
2001 onwards National Spokesperson, Indian National Congress
April 2006 Elected to Rajya Sabha
Aug. 2006 – May 2009 and Aug. 2009 – July 2011 Member, Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice
Aug. 2006 – Aug. 2007 Member, Joint Committee on Offices of Profit Member, Joint Committee to examine the Constitutional and Legal position relating to Office of Profit Member, Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Urban Development
Sept. 2006 – Sept. 2010 Member, Committee of Privileges
July 2010 onwards Member, Consultative Committee for the Ministry of External Affairs
July 2011 onwards Chairman, Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice Member, General Purposes Committee.
July 2012 onwards Spokesman Congress Party.[7]
Controversies
A tape allegedly featuring Singhvi with another woman in a compromising position was circulated. He categorically denied any wrongdoing.[8]
In 2014, he was fined ₹ 57 crore by the Income Tax Settlement Commission for failing to furnish documents supporting his claims of expenditure for running his office.[9]
References
- "Cong calls for stern action". The Times of India. 20 October 2009.
- Roy, Debayan (18 May 2018). "The Growing Importance of Being Abhishek Manu Singhvi: Man Fronting Congress' Legal Troubles". News18. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
- Taknet, D. K. (2016). The Marwari Heritage. IntegralDMS. p. 254. ISBN 9781942322061.
- "Pay tribute to L M Singhvi". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 23 April 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- Mahapatra, Dhananjay (9 January 2010). "India's top 10 lawyers". The Times of India. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
- "Abhishek Singhvi back as Congress spokesperson". News18. 2 November 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
- "Congress' Abhishek Manu Singhvi quits party, Parliament posts". NDTV. 25 September 2012.
- "Tax trouble: Abhishek Manu Singhvi faces Rs 57 crore fine". The Times of India. 12 November 2014.