Govt rejects CBI proposal to probe money laundering, black money

Government has rejected CBI’s ambitious proposal to get statutory powers to probe money laundering and black money cases.

CBI had proposed to issue a separate notification in exercise of power conferred under section 49 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to empower its Director and any other officer in the agency to take action, Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh told Lok Sabha in a written reply. “However, the proposal of CBI has not been agreed to,” he said.

CBI has sought powers for Director and its officers not below the rank of Inspector, who is duly authorised to act under PMLA, he said.

Enforcement Directorate is the designated body to implement PMLA in the country. The Act empowers it to take action in cases of black money and money laundering.