Only 2 Convictions in 193 ED Cases Against Politicians Over 10 Years, Reveals Finance Ministry

ED’s Record of Convictions: A Decade of Discrepancy

NEW DELHI: In a startling revelation, the finance ministry has reported that there have been only two convictions in 193 cases filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against political leaders over the past decade. This information was shared in Parliament by Junior Finance Minister Pankaj Chaudhary during a recent session.

Recent Trends and Case Statistics

Minister Chaudhary highlighted that the highest number of cases, totaling 32, were filed between April 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023. The two convictions occurred in 2016-2017 and 2019-2020, raising questions about the effectiveness of the ED in pursuing high-profile cases involving politicians.

Transparency and Accountability of ED

Chaudhary emphasized that the ED operates as a premier law enforcement agency, enforcing laws such as the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, Foreign Exchange Management Act, and Fugitive Economic Offenders Act. He clarified that the agency does not distinguish cases based on political affiliations or other factors, ensuring a level playing field in its investigations.

Implications for Governance

The data on cases registered against MPs, MLAs, and local administrators is not maintained in a state-wise or party-wise manner, which could hinder transparency. The minister reassured that all actions taken by the ED are subject to judicial review, underscoring the agency’s accountability to various judicial forums.

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