ED to fast-track 10 big PMLA cases in each region
New Delhi, Sep 16, 2026
Synopsis
The Enforcement Directorate aims to expedite money-laundering trials within eight months. Zonal offices will identify key cases for accelerated prosecution and conviction. A new trial monitoring system will track case progress and delays. The agency is also expanding its sanctioned strength by sixty percent. This structural change will enhance the directorate's operational capabilities significantly.
Enforcement Directorate director Rahul Navin has directed all zonal offices to identify at least 10 high-profile cases in each region for fast-tracking of trials, with a target of securing convictions within six to eight months, as the agency seeks to significantly reduce the time taken to bring money-laundering cases to conclusion.
The directive came at the ED's 36th Quarterly Conference of Zonal Officers (QCZO), held on September 14-15 at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, where the agency reviewed its operational priorities, investigation systems, prosecution strategy and tech capabilities.
A key focus of the conference was the ED's push to accelerate trials under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Zonal heads have been asked to identify high-profile cases that can be taken to conclusion within six to eight months. The ED director has also asked his sleuths to ensure tighter pre-trial preparation, conduct monthly reviews of cases awaiting cognizance for more than six months, and dedicated monitoring of cases pending for over 10 years.
The ED director has proposed a trial-monitoring mechanism, including a live pendency dashboard and an Adjournment and Delay-Attribution Register. Navin also wants greater use of audio-video deposition of official witnesses, prompt service of summons and measures to counter dilatory tactics.
Navin also issued a significant caution on the use of artificial intelligence, warning that even the "offline" deployment of AI tools could pose a risk of confidential case material being leaked. Officers were directed to exercise utmost care while handling sensitive investigative information. The warning assumes significance as the ED simultaneously seeks to expand the use of AI, data analytics and digital tools in financial-crime investigations.
The conference also marked a major structural expansion of the directorate. The government has approved cadre restructuring that will increase the ED's sanctioned strength from 2,029 to 3,256 posts, a rise of around 60%. The field structure will expand to 50 PMLA zones and five dedicated FEMA zones, while functional units will increase from 131 to 241. The new structure is targeted for rollout from January 1, 2027.
The ED director reiterated that the objective is to reduce the lifecycle of investigations from the current four to five years to around 18 months.
Other priorities include detecting fraud involving the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code and PMLA, particularly cases involving large haircuts and promoters regaining control of assets; closer coordination with police and other agencies; stronger cyber-forensic; and aggressive pursuit of restitution. The directorate said restitution of attached and confiscated assets has so far crossed ₹73,800 cr across 76 cases.
[The Economic Times]
