New Delhi: The Central government on Monday shared comprehensive data in Parliament highlighting the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) work under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) over the past 11 years. According to the information provided by Union Minister of State for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary, a total of 120 individuals have been convicted under PMLA since 2014, when the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office. The data underscores the scale of the ED’s operations in curbing financial crimes, as well as its evolving approach toward investigation, prosecution, and asset recovery in cases involving money laundering across the country.

Between June 1, 2014, and October 31, 2025, the ED registered 6,312 cases under PMLA, highlighting the breadth of its investigative activities. While the number of convictions—120—may appear modest compared to the total cases registered, officials from the agency have clarified that only 55 trials have concluded in courts so far. Out of these, 52 trials resulted in convictions, leading to the 120 individuals being held accountable. According to anonymous ED sources, this reflects a conviction rate of approximately 94% in cases where trials have concluded, underscoring the agency’s high success rate once investigations reach the court stage. It is noteworthy that the ED had not recorded any convictions in PMLA cases prior to 2014, which highlights a significant increase in the agency’s operational efficiency over the last decade.

The year 2024–25 stood out as a particularly active period for both prosecutions and convictions under PMLA. During this financial year, the agency registered a total of 333 cases, the highest in any single year over the past decade, and also achieved the maximum number of convictions—38 individuals. These figures reflect the agency’s intensified efforts to investigate complex financial crimes and its strategy of prioritizing high-impact cases where the proceeds of crime could be effectively traced and attached.

In addition to prosecutions and convictions, the amendment to the PMLA in August 2019 introduced significant procedural changes that have enhanced the ED’s ability to manage cases efficiently. The amendment permitted the ED to file closure reports before the special courts in cases where no offence of money laundering was established. Since the enactment of this amendment, the ED has filed closure reports in 93 cases where no money laundering offence was made out. Reasons for closure include the termination of schedule offence cases, courts finding no offence committed under the schedule offences defined under PMLA, and quashing of predicate offence cases. Prior to the amendment, such closures required approval from the regional special director of the ED. Between July 1, 2005, and July 31, 2019, a total of 1,185 cases were closed under the previous procedural framework.

The ED has also realigned its strategy in recent years to focus more on asset attachment, ensuring that offenders are deprived of the benefits of proceeds from criminal activities. The agency’s efforts have resulted in the attachment of assets worth ₹30,000 crore in FY2024–25, which is a record figure, and an additional ₹15,000 crore in the first five months of FY2025–26 (April–August). These attached assets include immovable properties, bank accounts, financial instruments, and other recoverable proceeds derived from criminal activities. Cumulatively, the ED has attached assets worth ₹1.70 lakh crore since 2005, across 8,100 PMLA cases, representing one of the most significant recoveries in India’s fight against financial crimes.

According to Chaudhary’s statement in Parliament, the ED has been particularly proactive in filing prosecution complaints (charge sheets) and supplementary charge sheets to move cases forward in courts. Over the past 11 years, the agency has filed 1,805 charge sheets and 568 supplementary charge sheets, highlighting a methodical approach to prosecuting cases and strengthening legal proceedings. The combination of investigative rigor, careful documentation, and coordination with judicial authorities has allowed the agency to secure convictions in complex cases, even if trials are prolonged due to the intricate nature of financial crimes.

The focus on attachment of proceeds of crime aligns with India’s broader strategy to tackle financial crimes comprehensively. By denying offenders the ability to benefit from their illegal activities, the ED aims not only to punish criminal behaviour but also to disrupt the financial networks that enable crime, deter future offences, and recover wealth for the state. The attachment strategy also reflects the government’s commitment to ensure that white-collar crime does not go unpunished, given the significant societal and economic impact of large-scale money laundering operations.

Experts analyzing PMLA enforcement trends note that the low absolute number of convictions relative to total cases registered should not overshadow the scale of the ED’s work. Money laundering cases are often complex and multidimensional, involving multiple jurisdictions, shell companies, intricate financial transactions, and cross-border elements. Investigating and prosecuting such cases requires meticulous gathering of evidence, tracing funds across accounts, and ensuring compliance with both domestic and international legal frameworks. As a result, many cases remain under trial for extended periods, which partly explains why convictions are comparatively lower in number despite a high success rate where trials are completed.

The PMLA, enacted in 2005, empowers the ED to investigate offences connected to the proceeds of crime arising from scheduled offences, including corruption, fraud, tax evasion, and other financial crimes. The Act also allows for attachment and confiscation of assets derived from criminal activity, making it one of India’s most important legislative tools to combat money laundering and organized financial crime. Since the NDA government came to power in 2014, the emphasis has been on strengthening enforcement mechanisms, improving prosecution efficiency, and maximizing asset recovery.

While convictions are a key measure of legal success, the ED’s broader impact lies in its ability to freeze and attach proceeds of crime, thus curbing the financial incentive for criminal activities. Officials have pointed out that the focus on asset attachment has gained prominence in recent years because it directly affects offenders’ ability to benefit from criminal conduct. By targeting assets worth hundreds of thousands of crores of rupees, the agency is sending a strong deterrent message to potential offenders, signalling that financial crimes will carry not only criminal penalties but also substantial economic consequences.

The government’s data also highlights the role of policy reforms and legal amendments in enhancing enforcement capacity. The 2019 amendment, which allowed filing of closure reports, has streamlined procedural delays, provided clarity on cases where no offence is made out, and increased efficiency in managing ED investigations. By differentiating between cases that merit prosecution and those that do not, the amendment has allowed the agency to focus resources on cases with higher likelihood of conviction and substantial recovery of proceeds.

As India continues to grow as a global economic power, combating money laundering and financial crimes remains a top priority. The ED’s work under PMLA demonstrates a commitment to both legal accountability and financial integrity. With 120 convictions, thousands of cases investigated, and assets worth over ₹1.70 lakh crore attached, the data presented in Parliament provides a comprehensive overview of the ED’s enforcement activities and highlights the government’s ongoing efforts to tackle complex economic crimes, safeguard the financial system, and uphold the rule of law.

In conclusion, the Enforcement Directorate’s performance under the PMLA over the past 11 years reflects a multi-pronged approach, combining investigation, prosecution, and asset recovery. While trial durations and legal complexities limit the speed of convictions, the agency’s record of high conviction rates, record-breaking asset attachments, and procedural reforms underscore a sustained commitment to combating money laundering and ensuring that financial offenders are held accountable.