First published on The Wire: https://thewire.in/rights/stop-misuse-pmla-target-scholars-activists-open-letter
Over 500 citizens, including rights activists, women’s groups, students, and academics, have issued an open letter condemning the misuse of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against scholars and activists in India. The letter highlights how the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has been repeatedly summoning and interrogating women scholars and activists, often without proper procedures, in what appears to be a targeted harassment campaign.
The signatories argue that the PMLA, enacted to meet India’s global commitments including those to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), is being misused to silence government critics and those who advocate for marginalized communities. They point out that the Act gives unbridled powers to the ED, relieving the state of responsibility for observing principles of natural justice, fair trial, and due process.
The letter demands an immediate end to this “persecution and witch hunt,” calling for proper procedures in questioning women and urging the ED to exercise greater responsibility in its use of the PMLA. It emphasizes that the law should not be used to intimidate opponents, activists, and intellectuals, as this undermines its original objective of combating serious financial crimes.
This situation raises concerns about the unintended consequences of FATF-inspired legislation, which can be exploited to suppress civil society and stifle dissent, rather than solely targeting money laundering and terrorist financing as intended.
