Weeks after the Modi government admitted in Parliament that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has a conviction rate of less than 5 per cent, the agency has reportedly decided to overhaul its approach to filing cases.
According to a report by the Indian Express, the ED will no longer rely on "criminal conspiracy" as the sole predicated offence for cases but will instead focus on registering them under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The move, initiated by ED director Rahul Navin and recently communicated to agency officers, marks a significant shift in the ED’s operational strategy amid mounting criticism of its performance and perceived political bias.
During the winter session of Parliament, Congress leader Randeep Surjewala brought the ED’s performance under sharp scrutiny. Citing government data, he lambasted the agency for its low conviction rate and accused the BJP-led government of misusing it as a tool for political vendetta.
‘The parliamentary answer to my question reveals three stark facts: In the last five years, the ED’s conviction rate has not crossed 5 per cent. Of the 911 cases filed, just 257 (28 per cent) reached the trial stage, while 654 (71.7 per cent) remained pending for over five years. This exposes the blatant misuse of the ED and PMLA for political vendetta,’ Surjewala said in a post on X.
Drawing a sharp contrast between the current government and the previous UPA regime, Surjewala pointed out that while 911 cases were filed in the last five years under the BJP government, only 102 were registered during the UPA’s decade-long tenure. He described the current spike in cases as a "massive witch-hunt" targeting political opponents and dissenters.
The ED’s decision to revise its case registration criteria appears to be a response to growing concerns over its effectiveness and impartiality. Critics argue that the agency’s focus on high-profile cases with limited evidence has contributed to its abysmally low conviction rate.
Political observers see the ED’s recalibration as a tactical move to salvage its credibility. However, questions linger about whether this shift is substantive or merely an attempt at damage control.
The revelations have reignited debates on the independence of investigative agencies and their alleged misuse for partisan gains. As the ED shifts gears, its actions in the coming months will be closely watched to assess whether the changes translate into real accountability — or are just another layer of political manoeuvring.
