Rajasthan High Court quashes FIRs against Hanumangarh MLA

The Rajasthan High Court has cancelled two first information reports against Independent Hanumangarh MLA Ganesh Raj Bansal and others in a case concerning land title leases allegedly issued using forged documents. Justice Ashok Kumar Jain, sitting at the High Court’s principal seat in Jodhpur, ordered the cancellation on Tuesday. The case related to an alleged offence from October 2003, while the FIRs were registered on September 18, 2026.

Mr Bansal was arrested by the Rajasthan Police’s CID-CB on September 20, shortly before the election for chairperson of the Hanumangarh Municipal Council. His group was backed by 34 Independent councillors elected in the urban local body polls and held a majority in the council. Supporters and local traders protested against the arrest, alleging that the police action was intended to influence the chairperson election.

Manju Rinwa was elected chairperson, while Mr Bansal’s daughter, Sonu Bansal, became deputy chairperson. A judicial magistrate in Sangaria initially remanded Mr Bansal in police custody until September 25. He was later released on bail by a sessions court.

Mr Bansal, his wife Santosh Bansal and their daughter Vandana Jain then approached the High Court seeking cancellation of the FIRs. During the proceedings, the court had on September 23 stayed arrest and other coercive action against the accused. The petitioners argued that the long delay in registering the case, as well as the timing of the action, reflected political circumstances.

The report said similar cases were registered against several municipal councillors and candidates for urban body posts during the polls. The High Court constituted special benches to hear urgent petitions seeking protection from arrest and issued directions concerning the safe arrival of councillors for voting.