Jaipur: Independent Hanumangarh MLA Ganeshraj Bansal was Monday sent to police custody till Sept 25 in connection with a 23-year-old case involving alleged irregularities in the issuance of residential leases on govt land.Bansal was produced before a magistrate in Sangaria after being arrested by a CID-CB and local police team.The case dates back to 2003 and concerns alleged irregularities in issuing pattas on govt land under the Hanumangarh Municipal Council. Police sources said Bansal and members of his family are named in cases linked to the alleged irregularities.His arrest came a day before the Hanumangarh Municipal Council chairperson election, where councillors backed by Bansal were a key bloc. Of the council’s 60 wards, Bansal-backed independents won 34, while BJP secured 15 and Congress 10.The arrest triggered protests by Bansal’s supporters and independent councillors, who questioned its timing ahead of the civic poll. Police, meanwhile, have maintained that the action relates to pending criminal cases.Bansal’s camp had fielded Manju Ranwan for the chairperson’s post. The MLA was taken into custody late Saturday while travelling towards Bikaner and was formally arrested after questioning.
