Home / Crime and Justice / ED's Asset Seizures Hit Record High Amid Arrest Dip
ED's Asset Seizures Hit Record High Amid Arrest Dip
2 May
Summary
- Asset attachments by ED reached an all-time high of over ₹81,000 crore.
- Arrests in money laundering cases decreased by approximately 27% last fiscal.
- Searches and raids conducted by the ED nearly doubled in the last fiscal year.
In the financial year 2025-26, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) achieved a record high in asset attachments, with over ₹81,000 crore seized. This represents a substantial 171% increase in value compared to the previous year, with 712 attachment orders issued. The ED stated this is a primary method to deprive criminals of illicit gains.
Conversely, the number of arrests made by the ED in money laundering cases decreased by approximately 27% during FY26, with 156 individuals apprehended. This decline is attributed by the agency to a focus on more targeted and evidence-based investigations. The agency also nearly doubled its search and raid operations, conducting 2,892 searches.
The ED successfully restored assets worth over ₹32,000 crore to victims of fraud, significantly exceeding its target of ₹15,000 crore. This restitution effort was notably boosted by a major success in the PACL 'ponzi' case. The agency also filed a record 812 chargesheets and reduced case lifecycles to 1-1.5 years.
Internationally, the ED's requests for mutual legal assistance have grown, with the UAE, Singapore, and the UK being key recipients of these requests. The agency also received a significant number of cooperation requests from foreign entities, particularly from the UK and Singapore.
