Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday dismissed allegations that the government was misusing the central probe agencies to target its political opponents.
In an interview with news agency ANI, Modi said maximum number of cases registered by the Enforcement Directorate are against those persons and entities who have no connection with politics.
“The country should understand that political leaders are involved in only three per cent of the ED cases while 97 per cent of cases are registered against the ones who do not belong to politics," said the prime minister. Those who face cases are either drug mafia or officers who are involved in corruption, he added.
Modi lauded the ED and said since he took charge at the Centre in 2014, the agency has significantly contributed in tackling corruption in the country.
"Before 2014, the ED attached only assets worth Rs 5000 crore. Did anyone stop ED from taking action and who were getting benefited? In my tenure, assets worth Rs 1 lakh crore has been attached. Is this not the money of the people of the country?" he asked.
Modi lamented that corruption has destroyed the country and that we should fight against it with full strength.
The prime minister’s remarks assume significance as the opposition has been accusing the government of using the central agencies to target them, and denying them a level-playing field in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
The ED recently arrested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and BRS leader K. Kavitha in a money laundering case linked to the excise policy scam. Former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia is already in jail in connection with the case.
