ED arrests Sonepat Congress MLA Surender Panwar in an illegal mining case
- In Reports
- 08:04 PM, Jul 20, 2024
- Myind Staff
Surender Panwar, a 55-year-old Congress MLA from Sonepat, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on the night of July 19th in connection with an illegal mining case, according to official sources.
Panwar's arrest occurred two days after the ED conducted searches at 15 premises belonging to Mahendragarh Congress MLA Rao Dan Singh. Singh had recently lost the parliamentary elections from Bhiwani-Mahendragarh by over 41,000 votes.
ED officials are investigating First Information Reports (FIRs) filed by the Haryana Police in Sonepat, Bhiwani, and Yamunanagar related to illegal mining activities involving boulders, gravel, and sand, which are ongoing despite a ban imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT). Additionally, the ED is probing allegations of fraud in the "e-Ravana scheme," an online portal launched by the Haryana government in 2020. The scheme was intended to streamline tax collection and prevent tax evasion in mining areas.
According to sources, a team from the ED in Delhi reached Surender Panwar's residence and subsequently took him into custody. He was then brought to Ambala, where a special court remanded him to nine days' custody of the ED.
The MLA, Surender Panwar, is involved in mining operations in both Haryana and Rajasthan. Earlier in January, the ED had conducted searches at Panwar's residence in Sector 15, Sonepat, as well as multiple locations associated with former INLD MLA Dilbag Singh in Yamunanagar. During these searches, the ED reportedly recovered ₹5 crore in cash, foreign-made firearms, and 300 cartridges.
Following these findings, the ED arrested Dilbag Singh and one of his associates in January, although they were later granted bail. Sources indicated that several documents suggesting money laundering activities were discovered at Surender Panwar's residence, leading to his subsequent detention by the authorities.
Earlier this month, the ED conducted raids at the residences of Congress leader Satbir Ratera in Bhiwani and Vijay Hassania in Tosham. These raids are part of ongoing investigations by the ED into various cases.
Two days ago, Congress leader Deepender Hooda claimed that the ED raids were being orchestrated on the instructions of the government in the lead-up to the Haryana assembly elections. He suggested that these actions were aimed at suppressing the voices of opposition leaders. Hooda expressed confidence that the people of Haryana were aware of such tactics and would respond by holding the ruling BJP accountable during the upcoming elections. The Haryana assembly elections are anticipated to take place in October.
Image Source: Money Control
Comments