Tue Feb 03 19:21:32 UTC 2026: ### Headline: Enforcement Directorate Reports Near 95% Conviction Rate in Money Laundering Cases

The Story:

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) reported a 94.82% conviction rate in money-laundering cases involving 123 accused individuals as of December 31, 2025, according to a Union government reply in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary stated that out of 58 cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), special courts convicted the accused in 55 cases.

Since 2020-21, the ED has secured convictions in 43 PMLA cases, involving 104 convicted individuals. Since the inception of PMLA on July 1, 2005, up to December 2025, 8,391 money-laundering cases were registered, with 5,158 cases initiated since 2020-21. The ED filed prosecution complaints in 1,960 cases and, since August 2019, filed closure reports in 93 cases.

Key Points:

  • The Enforcement Directorate (ED) reported a 94.82% conviction rate in money-laundering cases as of December 31, 2025.
  • 123 accused individuals were involved in the convicted cases.
  • Since 2020-21, 43 PMLA cases resulted in conviction.
  • Since August 2019, the ED has filed 93 closure reports.
  • Since the inception of PMLA on July 1, 2005, 8,391 cases have been registered.
  • The ED utilizes enhanced technology, including AI and OSINT, to expedite investigations.

Critical Analysis:

The ED’s reported 95% conviction rate is impressive in the context of recent news concerning financial and legal wrongdoing, such as arms trafficking, murder trials, and other potentially related crimes. It’s worth noting the spike of PMLA cases initiated in the last five years. The government’s enhanced efforts with technology like AI could be increasing the efficiency and rate of PMLA cases.

Key Takeaways:

  1. The ED demonstrates a high success rate in prosecuting money-laundering offenses.
  2. The use of advanced technology is a key component in the ED’s investigative strategy.
  3. There has been a notable increase in registered PMLA cases since 2020-21.
  4. Closure reports are filed primarily due to lack of connection between the predicated offense and PMLA or a closure/quashing of that predicate offense.
  5. The conviction rate is only the percentage of convictions out of the number of individuals who have reached a conclusion of their trial.

Impact Analysis:

The high conviction rate could bolster public confidence in the ED’s capabilities and encourage greater scrutiny of financial crimes. The increased use of technology will likely continue to enhance the ED’s effectiveness in identifying and prosecuting money-laundering offenses. This also suggests a potential chilling effect on illicit financial activities, as the risks of detection and conviction become more pronounced.

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