In a written reply to a question raised in Rajya Sabha by TMC MP Shri Saket Gokhale, the Ministry of Finance shared detailed information about the cases filed by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) between 01 January 2015 and 30 June 2025.
MP Saket Gokhale asked whether the Ministry of Finance would provide:
“(a) the details of all cases filed by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) between the period January, 2015 till date where chargesheets have not yet been filed in courts and trial of the accused has not started; and
(b) the details of all cases filed by the ED between the period January, 2015 till date that have either been withdrawn or where prosecution/proceedings have been closed by the agency?”
In response, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Shri Pankaj Chaudhary, said:
“(a) During the period from 01.01.2015 to 30.06.2025, the Directorate of Enforcement has taken up 5892 cases for investigation under the provisions of the Prevention of Money-laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA). In these cases, 1398 Prosecution Complaints (PCs) including 353 Supplementary PCs have been filed before the respective Special Courts under PMLA, 2002. Out of which, so far, the Special Courts have framed charges in 300 Prosecution Complaints including 66 Supplementary PCs. As on 30.06.2025, the PMLA Special Courts have convicted 15 persons in 08 conviction orders in these cases.”
This means that from the total 5892 investigations launched by ED, only 1398 prosecution complaints were officially filed in court. Out of those, just 300 cases have reached the stage where charges have been framed, and convictions were secured in only 8 cases involving 15 persons.
In regard to part (b) of the question, Shri Pankaj Chaudhary further stated:
“(b) Out of the cases recorded during the period from 01.01.2015 to 30.06.2025, the Directorate of Enforcement has filed closure report in 49 cases before the Hon’ble Special Court, PMLA.”
This clearly shows that out of thousands of cases initiated under the PMLA in over a decade, the conviction rate remains extremely low, while closure reports have been filed in only 49 cases.
The government’s reply offers a glimpse into the lengthy and complex process of prosecution under financial crime laws in India.
The response by the Ministry was given in connection with Unstarred Question No. 1027 and was answered on 29 July 2025.
Source #LawChakra
