New Delhi, August 6 (UNI) Amid allegations of vendetta politics and misuse of central agencies by the government, the number cases filed against politicians including sitting and former MPs, MLAs and MLCs under anti-money laundering law has substantially dropped in the calendar year 2024 (till July 31) to just 3 from a peak of 34 in 2022.
In a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, Minister of State (MoS) for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said that three Enforcement Case Information Reports (ECIRs) were filed under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) during January-July period of 2024.
ECIR is akin to First Information Report (FIR) in criminal cases.
In the year 2023, the number of ECIRs under anti-money laundering provisions was 26 while in the preceding year the number stood at 34.
As per the year-wise break up of the number of ECIRs recorded against existing and Ex-MPs, MLAs, MLCs and political leaders or anyone affiliated with any political party, the number of ECIRs recorded in 2019, 2020 and 2021 was 15, 28 and 26 respectively.
The MoS Finance’s reply came in response to a question from AAP leader Sanjay Singh on conviction rate of Enforcement Directorate (ED) cases against politicians.
As per the information shared by the Minister, trials were completed in case of two PMLA cases in 2024 till July. There was no conviction during the year till July in any case involving current and Ex MPs, MLAs, MLCs and political leaders or anyone affiliated with any political party.
