Haryana: Sonepat Congress MLA Surender Panwar arrested by ED over illegal mining

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday arrested Sonepat Congress MLA Surender Panwar in connection with a money-laundering case linked to illegal mining in Yamunanagar and some other areas of the state.

In January, the ED has searched premises linked to Panwar and his aides in Sonepat, residences of BJP leader Manoj Wadhwa in Karnal and INLD MLA Dilbagh Singh and his associates in Yamunanagar district. Singh was subsequently arrested for further questioning.

According to PTI, the ED teams were escorted by armed personnel of central paramilitary forces at the time.

The money laundering case stems from several FIRs of the Haryana Police registered to probe alleged illegal mining of boulders, gravel and sand that took place in the past in Yamuna Nagar and nearby districts even after the lease expiry period and court’s order.

The central agency is also probing alleged fraud in the ‘e-ravan’ scheme, an online portal that was brought by the Haryana government in 2020 to simplify collection of royalties, and taxes and to prevent tax evasion in mining areas.

In July 2022, Panwar had tendered his resignation to assembly speaker Gian Chand Gupta, citing personal reasons, including threats to his family’s security and well being.

“ My son has been getting death threats, but since you have assured me that adequate security will be provided to us, I am withdrawing my resignation,” Panwar had wrote.

Later, the Sonepat MLA said he was withdrawing his resignation as assembly speaker Gian Chand Gupta had assured him of adequate safety arrangements.

“The speaker told me to come and meet him personally. He assured me and other MLAs that adequate measures will be taken to ensure our security and the culprits will be traced and arrested,” Panwar had said.

Legal experts had pointed out that the speaker could not have accepted Panwar’s resignation merely on the basis of an electronic communication, without hearing him in person.