ED seeks closure of PMLA proceedings against Hasan Mushrif; Congress's Sachin Sawant accuses BJP

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has sought the closure of proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against Nationalist Congress Party leader and state minister Hasan Mushrif. The move has intensified discussion in political circles. The Opposition has once again alleged that the government uses investigating agencies for political gain.

Meanwhile, Congress national secretary and Telangana co-in-charge Sachin Sawant criticised the BJP. Sawant alleged that central investigating agencies are being openly misused to malign the Opposition and make it bow before those in power.

Sawant said, "It has become clear once again that the Modi government uses investigating agencies politically. The ED itself asked the court to close the PMLA proceedings against state minister and Nationalist Congress Party leader Hasan Mushrif, and gave relief to Mushrif and his family. Levelling serious corruption charges against Opposition people and then clearing them if they join the BJP is the true hallmark of the Modi government's washing-machine politics."

He alleged, "For the past twelve years, the Modi government has been openly misusing central investigating agencies to malign the Opposition, politically harass it and make it bow before those in power. Hasan Mushrif surrendered, the Nationalist Congress Party joined the Mahayuti, and the BJP's washing machine promptly started running. Serious allegations were made against him, and now he has suddenly been cleared. Had Hasan Mushrif been in the Opposition, would he have got this same relief?" Sawant also asked why Kirit Somaiya is silent today and where the file of his allegations has gone.

Sawant further said, "Countless allegations are made against Opposition leaders and investigating agencies are pressed to act against them immediately. But if those same leaders join the ruling alliance, the pace of action against them suddenly slows or the action is withdrawn altogether. This is no coincidence but a clear example of washing-machine culture in the Modi government's politics."

On the misuse of investigating agencies, Sawant said, "Agencies that should work in the national interest and against corruption are being used out of political vengeance. In the past twelve years, there has been very little proof of convictions in court from the actions of these agencies. It is natural, then, to ask whether the real aim of these actions is the fight against corruption or the political harassment of the Opposition. The spending on these agencies comes from taxpayers' money. Institutions run on public money should be used to enforce the law impartially, not to advance the politics of those in power."