Since the enactment of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), only 3 per cent of the cases registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under it are against politicians. This information has been given by the directorate itself.
The figures are in complete contrast to the popular belief that the government is misusing ED and other investigative agencies for political gains.
According to the data, till January 2023, ED has registered a total of 5,096 cases, out of which only 176 or 3 percent have been registered against present and former MPs and MLAs etc. Similarly, ED has conducted 531 search operations, which is 9% of the total cases registered under criminal law.
A total of 4,954 search warrants have been issued as each case requires multiple searches.
The ED takes action under the PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering) and the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).
The Directorate’s data shows that till January, in a total of 1,919 cases, confiscation orders have been issued and properties worth Rs 1.15 lakh crore have been attached. In addition, it has prosecuted 1,142 cases and arrested 513 people. So far 45 accused have been convicted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The PMLA is a criminal law that gives the authorities powers to interrogate, arrest and prosecute those involved in money-laundering, as well as trace, attach and confiscate property derived from criminal activity. have the right to confiscate. FEMA is a law related to violation of rules related to foreign exchange.
The opposition and political parties have been accusing the government and the ED that they are being targeted. But the government and the ED deny saying that the action of the agency is beyond politics and action is taken by the state police and other agencies only under the FIR.
Recently, opposition parties and three chief ministers had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemning the arrest of former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in the liquor scam case.
