Punjab and Haryana High Court Quashes Arrest of Congress MLA in Money Laundering Case

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has quashed the arrest of Haryana Congress MLA Surender Panwar in a money laundering case. The court found no material evidence from the ED to substantiate the charges. Panwar had claimed his arrest was illegal and sought interim bail. He is to be released if not required in any other case.

In a significant legal development, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has nullified the arrest of Haryana Congress MLA Surender Panwar by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering case.

The court, in its 37-page order, stated that there was no substantial evidence from the ED to suggest Panwar's involvement in the alleged illegal activity. Judge Mahabir Singh Sindhu issued the order, which also grants Panwar bail, on Monday. The detailed document was available on the court's website by Wednesday.

Panwar, who is the Congress party's candidate for the Sonipat constituency in the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections, argued that his arrest and subsequent remand were unlawful. The court criticized the ED for its extensive interrogation tactics, emphasizing the need for reasonable time limits. The court's decision to quash the arrest and grounds for detention, along with the remand orders, signifies a major setback for the ED's investigation. Panwar is to be released immediately unless required for any other case.

(With inputs from agencies.)