Expressing concern over the “very poor” conviction rate in money-laundering cases, revenue secretary Hasmukh Adhia on Saturday asked the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to step up and complete the probes
Expressing concern over the “very poor” conviction rate in money-laundering cases, revenue secretary Hasmukh Adhia on Saturday asked the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to step up and complete the probes as early as possible.
Speaking on the occasion of Enforcement Day at Vigyan Bhawan, the revenue secretary said, “While the investigation has resulted in prosecution complaints being filed, the actual conviction rate is very, very poor. In the entire life of PMLA, just examine how many people have so far been convicted”.
“It is important not only to finish the investigation, but to take it to the prosecution level and follow it up with courts and see to it that people are convicted. So, conviction is the final result of your entire effort and I am going to monitor it regularly”, said Mr Adhia.
Echoing Mr Adhia’s point, Enforcement Directorate director Karnal Singh said, “It is true that not a single conviction has happened in the PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) cases”. He maintained that there is not a single acquittal though, adding, “The cases are pending in courts actually. We are trying our best”. He also said that there should be some agency in the country which can maintain the properties or assets attached by the Enforcement Directorate. He said this as it is difficult for ED officials to maintain the attached properties.
The revenue secretary also expressed concern over the inordinate delay in investigations.
“Over a period, I have found that the amount of delay in finishing the investigation is inordinate. We must do something about it. So many cases are open. At some stage, cases have to be closed,” Mr Karnal Singh said.
While stating that some cases have been dragging on for 7-8 years, Mr Adhia said, “It is not a good idea to keep so many cases open. We should finish investigations as early as possible.” Highlighting the problems faced by the ED, Mr Adhia said one of the issues is the shortage of staff and it is being looked into. The secretary disclosed that the pending issue of risk allowance to ED staff has also been cleared by the government. Now, an official under the ED would also be eligible for risk allowance as is the case with other government investigative agencies.
