SC Flags ED’s Low Conviction Rate, Warns Against Prolonged Detention Without Trial in PMLA Cases

The Supreme Court, while hearing review pleas in Vijay Madanlal Choudhary, criticised the Enforcement Directorate for acting beyond legal limits and noted its conviction rate is below 10% in over 5,000 PMLA cases.

The Supreme Court rebuked the ED, saying it cannot act like a crook and its conduct must be within the four corners of the law.

Emphasising the need to safeguard liberty and ED’s credibility, the bench questioned years-long custody without trial, asking, “If acquitted after 5–6 years, who compensates?”

The ASG blamed trial delays on the accused’s tactics and investigative challenges. Another SC bench recently voiced similar concerns over ED’s extended pre-trial detentions under the money laundering law.