Verdict in just 60 cases of ED in 20 years:99% cases still pending; 72% attached assets eventually returned

The Enforcement Directorate has claimed a 93% conviction rate in money laundering cases, but official data shows the figure is based on only 60 cases where trials were completed over the last two decades. Out of these 60 cases, 124 accused were convicted in 56 cases, while acquittals were recorded in four cases. However, when compared to the total number of registered money laundering cases, the effective conviction rate falls to just 0.68%, as verdicts are still pending in nearly 99% of the cases. The Enforcement Directorate has claimed a 93% conviction rate in money laundering cases, but official data shows the figure is based on only 60 cases where trials were completed over the last two decades. Out of these 60 cases, 124 accused were convicted in 56 cases, while acquittals were recorded in four cases. However, when compared to the total number of registered money laundering cases, the effective conviction rate falls to just 0.68%, as verdicts are still pending in nearly 99% of the cases. Property attachments worth ₹2.36 lakh crore The data also highlights a major gap between provisional property attachments and final confiscations. Properties worth more than ₹2,36,016 crore were provisionally attached by the ED over 20 years. Of this, only ₹65,872.72 crore worth of assets were permanently confiscated after legal proceedings. The figures indicate that while investigations and attachment proceedings expanded significantly, only a limited number reached final legal closure. Sharp rise in money laundering cases after 2014 The number of money laundering cases registered by the ED increased sharply after 2014. 2005-2014: Average of 209 cases registered annually 2014-2024: Average increased to 511 cases annually 2024-25: 775 cases registered 2025-26: 1,080 cases registered Property attachment amounts surged The value of attached or seized properties also rose dramatically over the years. 2005-2014: Average annual attachment of ₹574.5 crore 2014-2024: Average annual attachment rose to ₹11,938.63 crore 2024-25: ₹30,036.41 crore attached 2025-26: ₹81,422.63 crore attached ED arrests saw a steep rise after 2014 2005-2014: Average of 3 arrests annually 2014-2024: Annual arrests ranged between 17 and 272 2024-25: 214 arrests 2025-26: 156 arrests Convictions remain limited Despite the rise in cases and arrests, convictions remained comparatively low. 2005-2014: No convictions recorded 2014-2024: Convictions in 38 cases 2024-25: Convictions in 9 cases 2025-26: Convictions in 9 cases Disposal of cases accelerated after 2019 The pace of case closures increased significantly in recent years. 2019-20: 35 cases closed 2020-21: 36 cases closed 2021-22: 148 cases closed 2022-23: 66 cases closed 2023-24: 85 cases closed 2024-25: 198 cases closed 2025-26: 685 cases closed