Enforcement Directorate arrests Sonipat MLA in alleged illegal mining case

New Delhi [India], July 20 : In a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Surender Panwar, the MLA from Sonipat, in connection with an alleged illegal mining case, official sources said.
The lawmaker was taken into custody last night following a thorough investigation, which revealed his alleged involvement in the illegal mining scam.
The ED team has seized crucial documents and evidence, exposing the MLA's role in the alleged illicit activity. The arrest sends a strong message to corrupt officials and reinforces the agency's commitment to uprooting corruption.
The ED's investigation and the arrest of Surender Panwar have sent shockwaves through the political and business circles in Haryana, and many more arrests and attachments are expected in the coming days.
ED's move comes days after its multiple teams earlier this month conducted search operations at various locations in Haryana and Delhi in connection with illegal mining in Dadam, Haryana. Those raids were carried out in Delhi as well as in Haryana's Hisar, Bhiwani, Gurugram, and Panchkula under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, at the premises of partners and associates of mining firm Govardhan Mines and Minerals.
During the search operations, various incriminating documents, digital devices, cash of Rs 5 lakh, and a luxurious BMW car worth Rs 1.50 crore were seized, and the bank account of the firm having a balance of Rs 41 lakh has been frozen, the agency further said.
ED initiated an investigation on the basis of the Prosecution Complaint filed by the Regional Officer, Haryana State Pollution Control Board, Bhiwani, before the Special Environment Court, Kurukshetra, against the firm Govardhan Mines and Minerals for violating the conditions of Environment Clearance under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and the subsequent FIR of Haryana Police registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
ED's investigation revealed that Govardhan Mines and Minerals had been involved in large-scale illegal and unscientific mining in the Dadam area of Haryana.
"It had led to large-scale damage to the environment and huge loss to the exchequer. The unscientific mining in the area led to slope instabilities, killing 5 people," the ED had said earlier, adding that "investigation further revealed that Vedpal Singh Tanwar is the key managerial person, who not only acquired mining rights illegally but also led to illegal and unscientific mining beyond permissible limits."
Proceeds of crime to the tune of Rs 56 crore have been generated from the illegal mining which was in the possession of Vedpal Singh Tanwar and other persons searched, the ED had stated.
Searches were also conducted in the case on August 3 last year, wherein large-scale incriminating documents, jewellery worth Rs 3.7 crore, cash of Rs 26.45 lakh, and a Mercedes car worth Rs 1 crore were seized.
Vedpal Singh Tanwar was arrested by the ED on May 30 of this year and is presently in judicial custody.
The mining case being investigated by the ED involves the illegal extraction and sale of minerals, including sand, gravel, and other precious stones, in Haryana. The case dates back to 2015, when the Haryana government granted several mining leases to private companies, allegedly without following proper procedures.
Over time, allegations surfaced that some companies, in collusion with corrupt officials and politicians, were engaged in large-scale illegal mining, causing significant environmental damage and revenue loss to the state. The illegal mining operations were reportedly carried out under the guise of legal mining, with the accused using forged documents and bribing officials to avoid detection.
The ED's investigation has revealed that the illegal mining scam involves a network of politicians, bureaucrats, and businessmen who colluded to extract and sell minerals worth thousands of crores of rupees. The proceeds of the crime were allegedly laundered through various channels, including shell companies and benami properties.
The case took a significant turn when the ED discovered that the accused had invested their ill-gotten gains in luxury properties, jewellery, and other assets, which are now being attached by the agency. The ED's probe has also uncovered evidence of money laundering, tax evasion, and other financial crimes.
The mining case is seen as a symbol of the rampant corruption and crony capitalism that have plagued the state's mining sector, causing widespread environmental degradation and depriving the state of its rightful revenue.