About Enforcement Directorate (ED):
- It is a multi-disciplinary organization mandated with the investigation of offence of money laundering and violations of foreign exchange laws.
- It was established in 1956 as an ‘Enforcement Unit’ under the Department of Economic Affairs. Later, in 1957, this unit was renamed the ‘Enforcement Directorate’.
- It is under the administrative control of the Department of Revenue (under the Ministry of Finance) for operational purposes.
- ED is responsible for enforcement of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA), Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA), and Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 (FEOA).
- ED has the power to attach the assets of the culprits found guilty of the violation of FEMA. It has also been empowered to undertake, search, seizure, arrest, prosecution action, and survey, etc. against the offences committed under PMLA.
- Appointment of Director of ED: The ED Director is appointed by the central government on the recommendation of a committee:
- chaired by the Central Vigilance Commissioner and
- members comprising of Vigilance Commissioners, Home Secretary, Secretary DOPT and Revenue Secretary.
