In a detailed written reply to a question raised in the Rajya Sabha by TMC MP Shri Saket Gokhale, the Ministry of Finance has provided a status update on investigations and prosecutions undertaken by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 between January 1, 2015 and June 30, 2025.
The data reveals a stark disparity between the number of cases investigated and the number of convictions secured over the past decade.
Key Highlights
- Total Cases Investigated by ED: 5,892
- Prosecution Complaints Filed: 1,398 (including 353 Supplementary Complaints)
- Cases Where Charges Were Framed: 300
- Convictions Secured: 8 conviction orders involving 15 individuals
- Closure Reports Filed: 49 cases
The statistics were presented by Minister of State for Finance Shri Pankaj Chaudhary in response to Unstarred Question No. 1027, answered on July 29, 2025.
MP Saket Gokhale's Query
The TMC MP sought:
- Details of ED cases since 2015 where chargesheets have not been filed and trials have not commenced.
- Information on cases that have been withdrawn or where prosecution was closed by the ED.
Government's Response
- Out of 5,892 cases taken up for investigation under PMLA, only 1,398 prosecution complaints were filed in courts.
- Special PMLA courts have so far framed charges in just 300 cases.
- Convictions were secured in only 8 cases, involving 15 individuals, reflecting a conviction rate of just over 0.1% of total investigations.
- A mere 49 closure reports were filed, indicating that most cases remain pending or under investigation.
What This Implies
The reply offers a rare insight into the slow pace and challenges in prosecuting financial crimes in India under PMLA. Despite the rising number of high-profile cases and media attention on ED investigations, the rate of successful prosecution remains strikingly low.
Experts suggest this highlights the need for reforms in financial crime investigation, greater transparency, and faster judicial processes to ensure accountability and due process.
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