High Court Dismissed the ₹25 crore Money Laundering Case Against Surender Panwar

The Haryana Story reports a significant turn of events in the ongoing Haryana Assembly elections. Surender Panwar, the Congress candidate from Sonipat, has been freed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in a ruling that has sent ripples through the political landscape.

The Court's Decision

The High Court dismissed the ₹25 crore money laundering case against Panwar and declared his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) illegal. This decision comes as a major relief for Panwar, who had been in custody for nearly three months. 

Panwar's lawyer, Mukesh Pannalal, had argued in court that his client's name did not appear in any FIR, questioning the basis of the arrest. The court, after examining the documents, ruled in favor of Panwar.

Impact on the Election

This development has energized Congress supporters in Sonipat. As news of Panwar's release spread, party workers gathered at his residence, distributing sweets and celebrating the court's decision.

Panwar, a mining businessman, was elected as an MLA from Sonipat in 2019 on a Congress ticket. The party has once again nominated him for the current elections, and he had filed his nomination from police custody on September 12.

The Battle for Sonipat 

With Panwar's release, the electoral contest in Sonipat is expected to become more intense. The BJP has fielded Nikhil Madaan, a former Congress member and mayor of Sonipat Municipal Corporation, as their candidate.

Political analysts suggest that Panwar's absence had been affecting his campaign, with his daughter-in-law Samiksha Panwar leading the efforts in his place. Now, with Panwar free to campaign personally, the race for Sonipat is likely to heat up. 

The Larger Context 

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between political parties and investigative agencies in India. The ED had arrested Panwar on July 20 after questioning him in Gurugram. The agency had also conducted raids on his properties in January, alleging irregularities in his mining business.

As the election approaches, both the Congress and BJP are intensifying their efforts in Sonipat. The constituency is seen as a key battleground, with the outcome potentially influencing the larger political narrative in Haryana.

The Haryana Story will continue to monitor developments in this case and its impact on the Haryana Assembly elections.