New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has reserved its decision on Vedpal Singh Tanwar’s bail application after hearing arguments from both his lawyer and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The court announced it would deliver its verdict today. Tanwar is an accused in a money laundering case related to illegal mining in Haryana’s Dadam region.
Justice Girish Kathpalia heard the case, with advocate Zoheb Hossain representing the ED and senior counsel Vikas Pahwa defending Tanwar. During the hearing, Hossain argued that Tanwar has only been minimally detained, with just 165 days of effective incarceration, as he was granted interim bail and has spent considerable time in the hospital. He accused Tanwar of being the mastermind behind the illegal activities, stating that reports from AIIMS confirm Tanwar is in good health and does not suffer from illness. The ED emphasized that Tanwar’s case involves violations under the PMLA.
The ED team opposed the bail, claiming no offense was made under the Environment Protection Act, which they argued has been decriminalized. They alleged that illegal mining intensified from February 2019, with Tanwar involved in significant sand and stone mining. Hossain pointed out that no FIR or ECIR (Enforcement Case Information Report) had been quashed by the Punjab and Haryana High Courts; the FIR was registered in August 2023, and the ECIR followed in September 2023, with Tanwar’s arrest in May 2024. The ED linked Tanwar to charges under sections 420 (cheating) and 120B (criminal conspiracy), alleging fraudulent actions including making false representations to the government and being blacklisted by the Haryana government, which prevented him from participating in mining auctions.
Hossain further claimed Tanwar controlled another firm, Goverdhan Mining and Mineral (GMM), where he served as CEO, withdrew a salary of Rs. 10 lakh monthly, and used the firm to carry out illegal activities.
Vikas Pahwa argued in favor of Tanwar, asserting that the case against him is weak, with no prima facie evidence of offense. He pointed out that the NGT order has been set aside and the FIR remains pending. He emphasized that the special director of ED also acts as the complainant and informant. Tanwar has filed a plea through advocates Sumer Singh Boparai and Aman Sharma.
Tanwar was arrested under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on May 30, 2024, in connection with illegal mining in Haryana. The ED’s investigation was based on a prosecution complaint from the Haryana Pollution Control Board, which accused his firm of large-scale illegal and unscientific mining, causing environmental damage and significant financial loss to the government. The illegal mining activities have been linked to landslides resulting in the death of five people.