Over the past decade, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has registered a substantial 5,297 money laundering cases across the country. Despite this high volume, trials have been completed in only 43 cases, highlighting a significant gap between case registration and judicial resolution. Of these 43 cases that concluded, the conviction rate stands impressively at 93 percent, with 40 cases resulting in convictions and three ending in acquittals. This data was detailed in a report recently submitted to Parliament by the central agency.
The period between 2021 and 2023 witnessed the highest number of money laundering cases. In 2021 alone, there were 1,166 cases registered, followed by 1,074 cases in 2022. This sharp increase reflects a notable rise in financial crime reporting, driven by enhanced scrutiny and regulatory measures. The number of registered cases surged significantly in 2020, reaching 708, a stark contrast to the 188 cases reported in 2019. This spike is likely attributable to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent shifts in economic activities.
Despite the high registration of cases, the pace at which trials are completed remains slow. The data shows that while a substantial number of cases are filed, only a fraction reach the trial phase and result in convictions. This discrepancy underscores the challenges faced by the judicial system in handling complex financial crimes and the need for more efficient legal processes.
In comparison, the Enforcement Directorate has also been active under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), with 8,719 cases filed in the same period. Trials have been concluded in 789 of these UAPA cases, yielding 222 convictions and 567 acquittals. This results in a much lower conviction rate of 28.13 percent, reflecting the complexities and difficulties associated with prosecuting cases under this anti-terrorism law.
Delhi has emerged as the region with the highest number of arrests under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), with 90 arrests recorded since 2016. This includes a notable 36 arrests made in 2024 alone, underscoring the city's prominence in these investigations. Among the high-profile figures arrested in Delhi is Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, highlighting the significant political implications of these cases.
Maharashtra follows Delhi with 43 arrests, West Bengal with 42, and Rajasthan with 24. In contrast, several states and union territories, including Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry, have not reported any arrests under the PMLA. This uneven distribution of cases and arrests indicates regional variations in the prevalence of financial crimes and the focus of enforcement activities.
Overall, while the Enforcement Directorate's efforts in tackling money laundering are evident through the high number of registered cases and substantial conviction rate, the disparity between case registration and trial completion highlights ongoing challenges in addressing financial crimes effectively.
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