Why ED's conviction of 2 MLAs under PMLA is relevant now, Pg11

Key Highlights:

• In March 2005, Jharkhand police sought MLAs Hari Narayan Rai and Enos Ekka, key to forming the state's new government.
• Parliament's committee, led by Aparajita Sarangi, will review the 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill regarding the removal of PM/CMs arrested for serious offenses.
• Rai and Ekka are the only two politicians convicted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the last decade.
• In 2017 and 2020, respectively, Rai and Ekka were convicted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Detailed Insights:

• The 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill faces opposition, which argues it grants the ED excessive power to destabilize elected governments before guilt is proven.
• Rai and Ekka leveraged their positions as ministers in a hung Jharkhand legislature to amass wealth beyond their known income sources.
• The ED was entrusted in 2005 with enforcing the PMLA, which aims to prevent money laundering and confiscate related property.
• Despite charging 193 politicians in the last decade, the ED has only secured two convictions, highlighting a low conviction rate in political cases.
• The parliamentary committee will address the time gap between allegations and convictions, and the low conviction rate of prosecuting agencies in political cases.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA): A law to prevent money laundering and confiscate property derived from such activity.
• Enforcement Directorate (ED): An agency responsible for enforcing economic laws and fighting financial crime in India.
• Constitutional Amendment Bill: A proposed change to the Constitution of India, requiring parliamentary approval.