Bengaluru: Enforcement Directorate (ED) has set its sights on speeding up economic crime investigations, targeting a reduction in the time taken to complete probes from the present four to five years to around 18 months. The move was announced during the agency’s 36th Quarterly Conference of Zonal Officers (QCZO), held in Bengaluru on Sept 14 and 15.The conference, chaired by ED director Rahul Navin at Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB), brought together senior officers from the agency’s headquarters and field formations. A management and leadership workshop preceded the conference on Sept 13.One of the key decisions was the implementation of a major cadre restructuring plan approved by Centre. The restructuring will increase ED’s sanctioned strength from 2,029 to 3,256 posts, a rise of nearly 60%. The agency will also expand its field network to 50 PMLA zones and five dedicated FEMA zones, while increasing the number of functional units from 131 to 241.The new structure is scheduled to be rolled out from Jan 1, 2027.Focus on faster trials, asset recoveryED has directed its zones to identify at least 10 high-profile cases in each region for which trials and convictions can be completed within six to eight months. The agency also stressed the need for closer coordination with state police and other enforcement agencies to tackle organised financial crimes.Another major priority is the recovery of money and assets lost by victims of economic offences. ED said restitution of attached and confiscated assets has crossed Rs 73,800 crore across 76 cases.The agency has directed officials to pursue restitution more aggressively and ensure that attached properties are properly valued and geo-tagged.AI, deepfakes & crypto under scannerThe conference also examined the growing challenges posed by artificial intelligence, deepfakes, cybercrime and cryptocurrency-related financial offences.Sessions covered the use of data analytics in economic investigations, cyber-forensic capabilities, virtual digital asset transactions and techniques used to conceal the movement of illicit funds, including chain-hopping, mixers and cross-chain bridges.ED also emphasised the importance of protecting confidential case material from data leaks, including risks arising from the use of AI tools.Stronger coordination, tighter case monitoringThe agency proposed greater information sharing with the state police, CBI, customs, DRI, NCB and SEBI. It also discussed integrating crime-reporting systems with platforms such as CCTNS and NATGRID to improve coordination and generate alerts.To tackle delays in court proceedings, ED approved measures including a live trial pendency dashboard, regular monitoring of long-pending cases and a standardised system to track the progress of prosecution complaints.The conference concluded with a roadmap for faster investigations, stronger forensic capabilities, quicker trials and sustained efforts to restore illicit assets to victims.
