The Ministry of Finance informed the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has registered cases against 193 political leaders, including Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs), in the past 10 years. However, only two convictions have been secured during this period.
The statement was made in response to questions raised by Communist Party of India (Marxist) MP A A Rahim. Rahim had sought details regarding the number of ED cases registered against MPs, MLAs, and local administration members over the past decade, along with a breakdown by party, state, and year.
Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, in his written response, stated that the government does not maintain data on the political party or state-wise distribution of ED cases.
However, a table was presented, outlining the year-wise cases against sitting and former MPs, MLAs, Members of Legislative Councils (MLCs), and other political leaders affiliated with various parties.
According to the data, during the second term of the Narendra Modi-led government from 2019-20 to 2023-24, 138 leaders faced ED investigations. In the last four years of the first term, from 2015-16 to 2018-19, 42 leaders were booked. Between April 2023 and February 2024, ED cases were initiated against 13 leaders. The third term of the Modi government commenced in June 2023.
Responding to queries on government initiatives for transparency and efficiency in ED investigations, Chaudhary stated, “The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) is a premier law enforcement agency of the Government of India, entrusted with the administration and enforcement of the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA), Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA), and Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 (FEOA).”
He further emphasised that ED cases are based on credible evidence and are not influenced by political affiliations, religion, or other factors. “The actions of the ED are subject to judicial review and are accountable to different judicial forums, including the Adjudicating Authority, Appellate Tribunal, Special Courts, High Courts, and the Supreme Court,” he said.
The low conviction rate has drawn criticism from opposition parties, which have accused the government of misusing the agency for political purposes.
The matter of the ED’s performance came under judicial scrutiny recently when the Supreme Court questioned the agency about its low conviction rate while hearing the bail plea of former West Bengal education minister Partha Chatterjee in a money-laundering case. The court expressed concerns over the extended custody of accused individuals without trial.
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