Enforcement Directorate

{{Short description|Law enforcement agency and economic intelligence agency of India}}

{{Infobox law enforcement agency

| agencyname = Enforcement Directorate

| nativenamea = {{lang|hi|प्रवर्तन निदेशालय}}

| commonname =

| patch =

| patchcaption =

| logo = Enforcement_Directorate.svg

| logocaption = Official emblem of Enforcement Directorate

| flag =

| flagcaption =

| imagesize =

| abbreviation = ED

| motto =

| mottotranslated =

| mission =

| formed = {{Start date and age|1956|05|01|df=y|p=y|br=y}}

| preceding1 =

| employees =

| volunteers =

| budget =

| legalpersonality = Government agency

| country = India

| federal = yes

| map =

| mapcaption =

| sizearea =

| sizepopulation =

| legaljuris =

| governingbody = Government of India

| governingbodyscnd =

| constitution1 = Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999

| constitution2 = Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002

| constitution3 = Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018

| restriction =

| speciality1 =

| speciality2 =

| overviewtype =

| overviewbody =

| headquarters = New Delhi, India

| hqlocmap =

| hqlocleft =

| hqloctop =

| hqlocmappoptitle =

| sworntype =

| sworn =

| unsworntype =

| unsworn =

| electeetype = Minister

| minister1name = Nirmala Sitharaman

| minister1pfo = Minister of Finance

| chief1name = Rahul Navin, IRS

| chief1position = Director

| chief2name =

| chief2position =

| parentagency = Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance

| child1agency =

| unittype =

| unitname =

| officetype = Division

| officename =

| stationtype =

| stations =

| website = {{URL|https://enforcementdirectorate.gov.in/}}

}}

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is a law enforcement and economic intelligence agency of the Government of India. Established on 1 May 1956, it is responsible for enforcing economic laws and combating financial crimes.{{cite web |url=https://enforcementdirectorate.gov.in/history-ed |title=History of ED - Directorate of Enforcement |date=2021-09-14 |website=Enforcement Directorate |access-date=2024-07-04}} The ED operates under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, with its headquarters in New Delhi.{{cite web |url=https://dor.gov.in/foreignexchangemanagement/role-enforcement-directorate |title=Role of Enforcement Directorate |website=Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance |access-date=2024-07-04}}

The ED's primary mandate is to enforce two key laws: the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) and the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA). Additionally, it is tasked with implementing the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 (FEOA).{{cite web |url=https://enforcementdirectorate.gov.in/what-we-do |title=What we do - Directorate of Enforcement |date=2021-09-14 |website=Enforcement Directorate |access-date=2024-07-04}}

== History ==

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) was established on 1 May 1956, as an "Enforcement Unit" within the Department of Economic Affairs, Government of India.{{cite web |url=https://enforcementdirectorate.gov.in/history-ed |title=History of ED - Directorate of Enforcement |date=2021-09-14 |website=Enforcement Directorate |access-date=2024-07-04}} It was created to handle violations of exchange control laws under the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1947 (FERA '47).{{cite web |url=https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/ed/ |title=Enforcement Directorate (ED) - Functions [UPSC Economy Notes] |website=BYJU'S |access-date=2024-07-04}}

Initially, the unit was headed by a Legal Service Officer as the Director of Enforcement, assisted by an officer on deputation from the Reserve Bank of India and three inspectors from the Special Police Establishment. The unit started with two branches in Bombay (now Mumbai) and Calcutta (now Kolkata).{{cite web |url=https://enforcementdirectorate.gov.in/history-ed |title=History of ED - Directorate of Enforcement |date=2021-09-14 |website=Enforcement Directorate |access-date=2024-07-04}}

In 1957, the unit was renamed as the "Enforcement Directorate," and a new branch was opened in Madras (now Chennai). The administrative control of the Directorate was transferred from the Department of Economic Affairs to the Department of Revenue in 1960.

Over the years, the ED's mandate expanded. In 1973, FERA '47 was repealed and replaced by FERA, 1973. From 1973 to 1977, the Directorate was under the administrative jurisdiction of the Department of Personnel & Administrative Reforms.

With economic liberalization in the 1990s, FERA 1973 was repealed and replaced by the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA), which came into effect on 1 June 2000. The ED was entrusted with enforcing FEMA.{{cite web |url=https://testbook.com/ias-preparation/enforcement-directorate-ed |title=Enforcement Directorate (ED) - Objectives, Functions & More |date=2023-10-31 |website=Testbook |access-date=2024-07-04}}

In 2002, the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) was enacted, and the ED was given the responsibility of enforcing it from 1 July 2005. More recently, the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 (FEOA) was passed, and the ED was entrusted with its enforcement from 21 April 2018.

Today, the Enforcement Directorate operates under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, and plays a crucial role in combating economic crimes and enforcing economic laws in the country.

Organizational Structure

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is headed by the Director of Enforcement, who is an officer of the rank of Additional Secretary to the Government of India. The Director is responsible for overseeing the agency's operations and reports to the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.{{cite web |url=https://enforcementdirectorate.gov.in/whos-who-0 |title=Who's Who - Directorate of Enforcement |date=2021-10-22 |website=Enforcement Directorate |access-date=2024-07-04}} The Director is assisted by several Special Directors, Additional Directors, Joint Directors, Deputy Directors, Assistant Directors, and Enforcement Officers. The organizational structure is designed to ensure efficient management and coordination across various regions and functions.{{cite web |url=https://enforcementdirectorate.gov.in/organizational-structure-0 |title=Organizational Structure - Directorate of Enforcement |date=2021-11-23 |website=Enforcement Directorate |access-date=2024-07-04}}

The ED's headquarters is located in New Delhi, and it has five regional offices in Mumbai, Chennai, Chandigarh, Kolkata, and Delhi, each headed by a Special Director. These regional offices oversee the operations of zonal offices located in various cities across India, including Pune, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Kochi, Delhi, Panaji, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Patna, and Srinagar. Each zonal office is led by a Joint Director.{{cite web |url=https://www.scribd.com/document/403722989/Organizational-Chart-ED |title=Organizational Chart ED |website=Scribd |access-date=2024-07-04}}

In addition to the zonal offices, the ED has sub-zonal offices in cities such as Mangaluru, Bhubaneshwar, Kozhikode, Indore, Madurai, Nagpur, Allahabad, Raipur, Dehradun, Ranchi, Surat, Shimla, Vishakhapatnam, and Jammu. These sub-zonal offices are headed by Deputy Directors.{{cite web |url=https://enforcementdirectorate.gov.in/whos-who-0 |title=Who's Who - Directorate of Enforcement |date=2021-10-22 |website=Enforcement Directorate |access-date=2024-07-04}}

The ED's organizational structure also includes specialized units such as the Headquarters Office, Coordination, Intelligence, System & Training, Adjudication, and the Special Task Force (STF), each managed by Joint Directors and Special Directors.{{cite web |url=https://enforcementdirectorate.gov.in/organizational-structure-0 |title=Organizational Structure - Directorate of Enforcement |date=2021-11-23 |website=Enforcement Directorate |access-date=2024-07-04}}

== Special Courts ==

The Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) provides for the establishment of Special Courts to ensure the speedy trial of offenses under the Act.{{cite web |url=https://www.indiacode.nic.in/show-data?actid=AC_CEN_5_24_00013_199622_1517807323191&orderno=39 |title=Section 22C. Establishment of Special Courts - India Code |access-date=2024-07-04}}

=== Establishment and Composition ===

Special Courts are established by the Central Government in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court.
Each Special Court consists of a single judge appointed by the Central Government with the concurrence of the Chief Justice of the High Court.{{cite web |url=https://www.indiacode.nic.in/show-data?actid=AC_CEN_5_24_00013_199622_1517807323191&orderno=39 |title=Section 22C. Establishment of Special Courts - India Code |access-date=2024-07-04}}

=== Jurisdiction and Powers ===

Special Courts have exclusive jurisdiction to try offenses punishable under the PMLA. They follow the procedure prescribed in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (CrPC), for trials before a Court of Session.{{cite web |url=https://enforcementdirectorate.gov.in/sites/default/files/Act&rules/THE%20PREVENTION%20OF%20MONEY%20LAUNDERING%20ACT,%202002.pdf |title=Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 |website=Enforcement Directorate |access-date=2024-07-04}}

== Supreme Court Rulings ==

In several landmark rulings, the Supreme Court of India has clarified the extent of the ED's powers, particularly concerning arrests and custody of accused individuals.

May 2024 Ruling on Arrest Powers: On 16 May 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that the ED cannot arrest an accused under Section 19 of the PMLA after a Special Court has taken cognizance of the complaint. If the ED seeks custody of the accused for further investigation, it must apply to the Special Court, which will decide based on the necessity of custodial interrogation.{{cite web |url=https://www.livelaw.in/supreme-court/ed-cannot-arrest-accused-after-special-court-has-taken-cognizance-of-pmla-complaint-supreme-court-258060 |title=Supreme Court Ruling: ED Cannot Arrest After Special Court Takes Cognizance of PMLA Complaint |date=2024-05-15 |website=LiveLaw |access-date=2024-07-04}}{{cite web |url=https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=f937a9ac-1fb0-4893-92e7-6dfcb149c8d2 |title=Supreme Court's ruling on Enforcement Directorate's power to arrest |date=2024-05-29 |website=Lexology |access-date=2024-07-04}}

Conditions for Bail: The Supreme Court also clarified that the stringent conditions for bail under Section 45 of the PMLA do not apply if the accused appears before the Special Court in response to a summons. This ruling makes it easier for accused individuals to obtain bail in money laundering cases.{{cite web |url=https://www.indianexpress.com/article/india/ed-cant-arrest-accused-after-special-court-has-taken-cognisance-of-complaint-sc-9332418/ |title=ED can't make PMLA arrest after cognisance, needs court nod |date=2024-05-16 |website=The Indian Express |access-date=2024-07-04}}{{cite web |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/supreme-court-enforcement-directorate-section-19-pmla-probe-agency-cant-arrest-accused-if-supreme-courts-big-ruling-5675220 |title="Probe Agency Can't Arrest Accused If...": Supreme Court's Big Ruling |date=2024-05-16 |website=NDTV |access-date=2024-07-04}}

Review of PMLA Amendments: The Supreme Court has also reviewed amendments to the PMLA, addressing concerns about specific provisions such as the requirement to provide information reports to the accused and the reversal of the presumption of innocence.{{cite web |url=https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/decoding-the-ed-understanding-its-history-powers-and-criticism-123112200730_1.html |title=Decoding the ED: Understanding its history, powers, and criticism |date=2023-11-22 |website=Business Standard |access-date=2024-07-04}}

== Notable cases ==

= Major Cases =

INX Media Case: The ED played a significant role in the investigation of the INX Media case, which involved alleged financial irregularities and corruption. The case led to the arrest of several high-profile individuals, including former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram.{{cite news |title=INX Media case: ED files charge sheet against P Chidambaram, son Karti |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/inx-media-case-ed-files-charge-sheet-against-p-chidambaram-son-karti/article30685869.ece |access-date=2024-07-04 |work=The Hindu |date=2020-01-29}}

Vijay Mallya Case: The ED filed one of its longest charge sheets, approximately 5,300 pages, against Vijay Mallya, Kingfisher Airlines Ltd, and United Breweries (Holding) Ltd under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The case involved allegations of money laundering and fraud.{{cite news |title=ED files 5,000-page charge sheet against Vijay Mallya |url=https://www.livemint.com/Companies/7T8f2k5XfY2qz6gZ2J5O7N/ED-files-5000page-charge-sheet-against-Vijay-Mallya.html |access-date=2024-07-04 |work=Mint |date=2017-06-15}}

2G Spectrum Case: The ED investigated the 2G spectrum allocation scam, which was one of the largest corruption cases in India. The investigation led to the prosecution of several politicians and business executives.{{cite news |title=2G scam: ED files charge sheet against A Raja, Kanimozhi, others |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/2g-scam-ed-files-charge-sheet-against-a-raja-kanimozhi-others-117122900694_1.html |access-date=2024-07-04 |work=Business Standard |date=2017-12-29}}

PNB Scam: The ED was involved in the investigation of the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, which involved fraudulent transactions worth over ₹13,000 crore. The case led to the arrest of diamond merchants Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi.{{cite news |title=PNB fraud case: ED files charge sheet against Nirav Modi, associates |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/pnb-fraud-case-ed-files-charge-sheet-against-nirav-modi-associates/articleshow/64115779.cms |access-date=2024-07-04 |work=The Economic Times |date=2018-05-11}}

= Asset Seizures =

Seizure of Assets: Over the past eight years, the ED has conducted over 3,000 raids and seized assets worth more than ₹99 crore under the PMLA.{{cite web |title=Enforcement Directorate: 10 High Profile Cases in India |url=https://blog.finology.in/Legal-news/enforcement-directorate |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=Finology |date=2022-08-08}}

Byju's Case: On 21 November 2023, the ED issued a show-cause notice of ₹9,362 crore to Think & Learn, the company behind Byju's education platform, and its founder Byju Raveendran for alleged violations of forex rules while attracting foreign investments.{{cite news |title=ED issues show-cause notice to Byju's for forex violations |url=https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/decoding-the-ed-understanding-its-history-powers-and-criticism-123112200730_1.html |access-date=2024-07-04 |work=Business Standard |date=2023-11-22}}

= Legislative Impact =

Strengthening of Laws: The ED's investigations have led to significant legislative changes, including amendments to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and the introduction of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act (FEOA) in 2018. These laws have strengthened the agency's ability to combat economic crimes and ensure compliance with financial regulations.{{cite web |title=Role of enforcement directorate – What is ED |url=https://www.lloydlawcollege.edu.in/blog/role-of-enforcement-directorate.html |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=Lloyd Law College}}

Conviction rate and allegations of misuse

=== Conviction rate ===

The Enforcement Directorate has reported a high conviction rate in money laundering cases, but this figure is based on a small number of completed trials. As of 31 January 2023, the ED had registered 5,906 Enforcement Case Information Reports (ECIRs) and arrested 513 persons.{{Cite web |title=Statistics {{!}} Directorate of Enforcement |url=https://enforcementdirecorate.gov.in/statistics-0 |access-date=2024-04-08 |website=enforcementdirectorate.gov.in}} However, only a small fraction of these cases have completed trial.

In July 2023, data shared by the union government in Parliament revealed that only 31 cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) had completed trial in the previous nine years. Of these, 29 resulted in convictions, yielding a conviction rate of 93.54%.{{cite news |author=Press Trust of India |title=Over 93% conviction rate in money laundering cases in 9 years: Govt |url=https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/over-93-conviction-rate-in-money-laundering-cases-in-9-years-govt-123072400720_1.html |access-date=29 March 2024 |work=Business Standard |date=24 July 2023}} While this rate exceeds the 57% national conviction rate for offences under the Indian Penal Code (IPC),{{Cite web |title=NCRB Crime Statistics 2022 Vol 3 |url=https://ncrb.gov.in/uploads/nationalcrimerecordsbureau/custom/ciiyearwise2022/1701608543CrimeinIndia2022Book3.pdf |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404100433/https://ncrb.gov.in/sites/default/files/CII-2021/CII_2021Volume%203.pdf |archivedate=4 April 2023}} it is important to note that only 0.52% of PMLA cases have completed trial, compared to 10.5% of IPC cases.{{Cite news |title=ED Is Claiming it Has a High Conviction Rate – But it Has Closed Only 25 Cases Since 2005 |url=https://m.thewire.in/article/government/ed-is-claiming-it-has-a-high-conviction-rate-but-its-closed-only-25-cases-since-2005/amp |work=The Wire}}{{Cite web |title=भारत में अपराध वर्षवार {{!}} National Crime Records Bureau |url=https://ncrb.gov.in/crime-in-india-year-wise.html?year=2022&keyword= |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=ncrb.gov.in}}

=== Allegations of political misuse ===

The ED has faced accusations of being used as a political tool, particularly against opposition parties. Critics argue that the agency has been selectively targeting opposition leaders, conducting raids, and making arrests, especially during election periods.{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india/beyond-modi-indias-opposition-struggles-with-financial-crime-agency-2024-03-22/ |title=India's opposition becomes financial crime agency's target as Modi seeks third term |date=2024-03-22 |website=Reuters |access-date=2024-07-04}} In March 2024, 14 opposition parties filed a petition with the Supreme Court alleging misuse of the ED. Senior advocate A M Singhvi, representing the petitioners, argued that the number of politicians investigated by the ED had drastically risen after 2014, with 95% of those investigated belonging to opposition parties.{{cite web |url=https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/decoding-the-ed-understanding-its-history-powers-and-criticism-123112200730_1.html |title=Decoding the ED: Understanding its history, powers, and criticism |date=2023-12-07 |website=Business Standard |access-date=2024-07-04}}

The allegations of misuse have been further fueled by incidents such as the one in August 2023, when Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) warned opposition members during a parliamentary debate, saying, "keep quiet, or ED may arrive at your home."{{Cite web |title='Keep Quiet Or ED May Arrive At Your Home': Meenakshi Lekhi Warns Oppn During Debate Over Delhi Ordinance Bill (WATCH) |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/keep-quiet-or-ed-may-arrive-at-your-home-meenakshi-lekhi-warns-oppn-during-debate-over-delhi-ordinance-bill |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804032103/https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/keep-quiet-or-ed-may-arrive-at-your-home-meenakshi-lekhi-warns-oppn-during-debate-over-delhi-ordinance-bill |archive-date=2023-08-04 |access-date=2023-08-04 |website=Free Press Journal |language=en}}{{YouTube|id=OSDLyaDYn9k|title=Meenakshi Lekhi Warns Opposition Of ED Raid {{!}} Parliament Session}}

Acts of parliament governing the ED

Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA){{Cite web |last=@Digitalhindi |date=2023-01-03 |title=What is ED and ED Full Form |url=https://digital-hindi.com/ed-full-form/ |access-date=2023-01-04 |language=en-US |archive-date=4 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104061907/https://digital-hindi.com/ed-full-form/ |url-status=live }}