The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted the highest number of raids in its history in the year 2025-26. The agency carried out a total of 2,892 raids, which is almost double compared to 1,491 last year. According to ED’s annual report 2025-26, arrests under money laundering decreased. However, record increases were registered in property attachments and cases of returning money to victims. ED issued 712 provisional attachment orders and seized properties worth ₹81,422 crore . This is 171% more compared to ₹30,036 crore last year. These attachments become permanent after confirmation from PMLA’s Adjudicating Authority. ED’s arrests decreased by approximately 27%. ED arrested 156 people, while this number was 214 last year and 272 before that. According to the agency, it is now focusing more on targeted and evidence-based investigations. ₹32 thousand crore returned to victims The biggest achievement of the report was returning property to fraud victims. In FY26, ED returned property worth ₹32,678 crore to investors, homebuyers and banks, which was ₹15,263 crore last year. The PACL Ponzi scam case had a major contribution in this, where ₹15,582 crore alone were returned. Record in case registration and chargesheets too Case registrations have increased by 39% to 1,080. Meanwhile, 812 chargesheets were filed this year compared to 457 last year. The agency claims that the investigation period of cases has now reduced from 3-4 years to 1-1.5 years. Legal cooperation from foreign countries increased International cooperation in money laundering investigations has also increased. India received 246 requests from foreign countries, with the highest number from UK (79). As of March 31, 2026, 353 MLAT/LR requests are pending, with the most from: Under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), ED has extensive powers of arrest, search, seizure and attachment of property. Getting bail under this law is also difficult.
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