ED's misuse exposed, less than 5 pc conviction rate: Surjewala

In a startling revelation during the ongoing Parliamentary winter session, the Modi government admitted that the Enforcement Directorate (ED), a key Central investigative agency, has managed a conviction rate of less than 5 per cent in the last five years.

Responding to a query from Congress leader Randeep Surjewala, the government disclosed that of the 911 cases filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), only 42 (4.6 per cent) have led to convictions.

Surjewala, in a scathing critique, took to social media platform X to highlight what he termed a "massive witch-hunt".

"The Parliamentary answer to my question reveals three stark facts: In the last five years, the ED's conviction rate has not crossed 5%. Of the 911 cases, just 257 (28%) reached the trial stage, while 654 (71.7%) remained pending for five years. This exposes the blatant misuse of the ED and PMLA cases for political vendetta," he wrote.

Adding perspective, Surjewala contrasted the ED's activity under the BJP-led NDA government with that of the previous UPA administration. He noted that while 911 cases were filed in the last five years, only 102 were registered during the UPA's decade-long tenure.

"This disproportionate spike in cases is a clear indication of how the ED has been weaponized to target opposition leaders and dissenting voices," he added.

The revelations come amid growing concerns about the autonomy of investigative agencies in India. The Opposition has repeatedly accused the BJP government of eroding institutional independence to silence critics and consolidate power.

Senior leaders from Opposition parties, including the Congress, Trinamool Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and others, have faced ED scrutiny in recent years. These investigations often coincide with key elections, raising questions about their timing and intent.

In poll-bound Haryana, several Congress leaders have reported receiving ED summons. Legal experts and Opposition leaders argue the ED’s dismal conviction rate underscores questions about the quality and intent of its investigations. The agency’s high-profile raids and arrests often fail to stand judicial scrutiny, further supporting claims of misuse, said the Congress leader.