Panipat: Haryana cabinet minister Krishan Lal Panwar was injured on Friday afternoon after his official vehicle met with an accident near the Panipat toll plaza on a busy highway stretch. The 68-year-old BJP leader suffered minor injuries when the Toyota Innova SUV he was travelling in collided with an escort vehicle that was part of his convoy.
The accident took place near Eldeco Estate One while Panwar was returning to Panipat after campaigning in Ambala ahead of the municipal corporation elections scheduled for May 10.
According to officials and local sources, the minister’s SUV crashed into the rear side of the escort vehicle moving ahead in the convoy. The impact caused serious damage to the front portion of the minister’s vehicle and led to traffic congestion on the highway for some time.
Security personnel and people nearby quickly rushed to help after the accident. The minister was immediately shifted to another vehicle from the convoy and taken to Panipat District Civil Hospital for treatment.
Hospital sources later confirmed that Panwar’s condition was stable and his injuries were not serious. Though the hospital did not release an official medical bulletin, people close to the minister said he received minor injuries and was under medical observation.
The incident created concern among BJP leaders and supporters because Panwar is an important member of the Haryana government and one of the senior leaders in the state.
Krishan Lal Panwar had been travelling in Ambala earlier in the day to campaign for the upcoming municipal corporation elections. The elections are considered politically important for the ruling BJP government in Haryana.
After completing campaign activities, Panwar was returning to Panipat with his convoy when the accident occurred near the toll plaza area. Officials said traffic movement was heavy at the time of the incident.
The collision caused visible damage to the Toyota Innova SUV carrying the minister. Pictures from the spot showed the front portion of the vehicle badly damaged after the crash.
Police and security officials quickly reached the location and managed traffic on the busy road. The damaged vehicles were later removed to clear the highway.
Soon after news of the accident spread, several senior officials rushed to the hospital to check on the minister’s health. Deputy Commissioner Virender Dahiya, Superintendent of Police Bhupinder Singh and Panipat City MLA Pramod Vij visited the hospital and met the minister.
Supporters and BJP workers also gathered outside the hospital after hearing about the accident. Security arrangements were tightened around the hospital area as senior leaders arrived.
Officials said Panwar remained conscious after the accident and was able to communicate normally. Doctors examined him and provided immediate treatment.
Krishan Lal Panwar is a senior BJP politician in Haryana and currently serves as minister for development and panchayats as well as mines and geology in the Nayab Singh Saini government.
He is considered an important Dalit face of the BJP in Haryana politics and has been active in public life for many years. Panwar has represented the party in different political roles and is known for his close connection with grassroots workers in the state.
Political leaders from different parties wished him a speedy recovery after the accident. BJP leaders expressed relief that the injuries were not serious.
Road accidents involving political leaders and convoys often raise concerns about highway safety and convoy movement procedures. Heavy traffic, sudden braking and close movement of vehicles in convoys can sometimes lead to such collisions.
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Police officials are expected to review the exact circumstances that led to Friday’s crash. However, no major foul play or outside involvement has been reported so far.
The accident also caused temporary traffic problems near the Panipat toll plaza, one of the busiest stretches on the highway connecting important cities in Haryana. Commuters reportedly faced delays for some time before normal traffic movement was restored.
Witnesses at the scene said the collision happened suddenly and created panic among people travelling on the road. Security personnel quickly formed a protective circle around the minister and moved him safely away from the damaged vehicle.
Medical experts say that even minor injuries in road accidents involving elderly individuals require careful observation, which is why Panwar was kept under monitoring at the hospital.
Sources close to the minister later said he was responding well to treatment and there was no major concern regarding his health condition.
The incident once again highlighted the risks associated with long political travel schedules during election season. Leaders often spend several hours travelling between cities while attending rallies, meetings and campaign programmes.
The BJP is currently actively campaigning for local body elections in Haryana, and several senior leaders have been travelling across districts for public meetings and outreach programmes.
As news of Panwar’s recovery spread, party workers expressed relief and prayed for his quick return to normal public activities.
Officials said further medical updates would be shared if necessary, but initial reports suggested the minister escaped with relatively minor injuries despite the heavy impact on the vehicle.
The damaged SUV was later taken away from the accident site while police continued managing traffic and examining details related to the collision.
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