Over 1700 money laundering cases probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) are currently in the trial stage. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

Over 1700 money laundering cases probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) are currently in the trial stage, and the delay in courts can be attributed to the general delay in the justice system in the country, ED Director Rahul Navin said on Thursday (May 1, 2025).

The top officer of the ED, however, said the conviction rate of the ED cases was 93.6%, as out of 47 cases decided by courts till now, there have been only three acquittals.

A total of 1,739 cases of PMLA are under trial at present, and the delay in prosecution in the money laundering cases can be attributed to general delay in the justice system in the country, he said while addressing the ED Day event held here.

Mr. Navin said he “candidly” acknowledges pending investigation in PMLA cases, saying it will be the agency’s efforts to file chargesheets in such cases before courts.

He said the ED will use advanced technology and forensics in its investigations. The federal probe agency has completed 69 years of its existence as it was established on May 1, 1956.

It implements two criminal laws — The Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act (FEOA) — apart from the civil provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).

NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday criticised the Congress for taking credit for the inclusion of caste-based enumeration in the upcoming census and questioned why previous Congress governments had failed to implement such a move.
Slamming Congress’ slogan “Sarkar tumhari, system humara” (Your government, our system), Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was a “staunch opponent of caste-based reservations,” which is why a caste census was not conducted under his leadership.
Addressing a press conference, Pradhan said, “They claim the government is theirs, and the system is ours. When this issue was raised, it should have been discussed openly. The country deserves to know the truth. In 1951, whose government was it? Whose system was in place? The last caste census was conducted in 1931. The country wasn’t independent in 1941, so it wasn’t done then. But in 1951, who was in power? It was the late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.”
“This is well known. If it weren’t for Babasaheb Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi, social sensitivity wouldn’t be a national concern. If the advice of the Constituent Assembly had not been heeded, there would be no reservations today. Why? Because the first Prime Minister, Pandit Nehru, strongly opposed caste-based reservations. His opposition wasn’t limited to words—he even wrote letters to state chief ministers at the time, warning that caste-based opportunities would degrade quality,” he added.
Pradhan further targeted the Gandhi family for not acting on the Kaka Kalelkar Report and the Mandal Commission Report.
“Who controlled the system? Who decided to suppress the Kaka Kalelkar Committee report for years? Even then, the so-called ‘First Family,’ which now speaks so arrogantly, held the reins of power. The command lay with their grandmother, the then Prime Minister, the late Indira Gandhi,” he said.
“The Janata Party government introduced the Mandal Commission in 1977 to realign the course of social justice. At that time, the BJP, in its earlier form as Jan Sangh, was part of the Janata Party. Leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani were part of that government. But who kept the Mandal Commission report locked away for a decade? Who was in power? It was the Congress Party. This is sheer hypocrisy and arrogance,” he added.
His remarks come after the Congress credited the Modi government’s decision to conduct a caste-based census to Rahul Gandhi’s persistent advocacy, calling it a victory for his vision.
“Rahul Gandhi ji said, ‘Start counting.’ Now the Modi government is making arrangements for the count,” Congress leader Jairam Ramesh wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “When our leader Shri Rahul Gandhi ji called the caste census the ‘X-ray of society,’ the ruling party mocked him, ignored him, and delayed action.”
“He has long demanded this—raising the issue repeatedly in Parliament, at public gatherings, and during his travels. But how long can the voice of millions demanding their rights be ignored? Now that the Modi government has agreed to conduct a caste census, we say—better late than never! This is a significant step toward ensuring social justice. It is a victory for millions of Indians who have long fought for equality, fairness, and representation,” Ramesh added.
A caste census is systematic recording of individuals’ caste identities during a national census. In India, where caste deeply influences social, economic, and political life, such data can provide critical insights into the distribution and socio-economic status of various caste groups. This information is vital for shaping policies related to affirmative action and social justice.
Caste enumeration was a routine feature of census exercises during British rule, from 1881 to 1931. However, with the first census of independent India in 1951, the practice was discontinued—except for the enumeration of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Hyderabad: The Ministry of Culture in collaboration with Heartfulness organised the closing ceremony of the commemoration of the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of Pujya Babuji Maharaj. The yearlong commemorative activities which included Ekatm Abhiyan, meditation and lifestyle improvement programs, skill building, etc., across multiple states in India such as Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh targeted to reach the lives of 12 crores of people in 65,000 villages have taken the message of Pujya Babuji Maharaj and the transformative impact of his work to all parts of India and the world.

Shri Jishnu Dev Varma, Hon’ble Governor of Telangana, graced this commemorative event, which was attended by over 50,000 participants in person with millions from 165 countries joining virtually worldwide.

The Hon’ble Governor of Telangana inaugurated “Babuji Vanam,” the world’s first energy transmission garden created in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, as a special commemorative legacy project.

The thematic garden is the first of its kind in the world, featuring forty species of trees that will absorb and radiate ‘Pranahuti’, the yogic transmission that nourishes the soul. A central water body in the garden depicts the origin of creation. The garden is meticulously designed to ensure that every drop of water is harvested. The gravel pathways serve as acupressure pathways. The percolation pits and gentle slopes are designed to guide water to a holding pond and hence tap surface water runoff. The trees in the garden have medicinal value as well and include Neem, Red Sandalwood, Tulsi, and Tropical Almond. The biodiversity patch attracts a variety of fauna and birds. A cow pen is also integrated in the garden, not only because they were dear to Babuji but also to enable children to pet them and get closer to nature. The garden is eco-friendly with consciously chosen materials, with stone trails, hedgerows for acoustic calm, and signage with quotes from Babuji and Sahaj Marg literature.

Visitors are encouraged to sit and lean against these trees to experience the subtle energy and deepen their inner stillness. The mandatory practice of silence in the garden helps one come closer to the Divine and guides the heart to deep silence that sustains.

A special exhibition showcased the life of Babuji Maharaj through a curated display of rare artifacts, photographs, and memorabilia. A digital version of the exhibition is available for download and this experience is also being shared across 165 countries for their viewing.

Rev. Daaji – Guide of Heartfulness and President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission said, “We are the product of the past – what we do now decides our future. What creates the bondage is not only from the past, but also the tendencies from the past give rise to desires. The past and future keep us bound. Move your attention to the Source. The solution is to transcend both the tendencies and the futuristic desires. To arrive at a clean state free from samskaras, Babuji designed the system of Sahaj Marg. He made meditation easier through Pranahuti or yogic Transmission.”

The event also witnessed the release of two special publications, the first of which is a book titled “Holy Tirthankars”, where Rev Daaji captures the essence of the lives of the 24 Jain Tirthankars, illuminating the deep spiritual heritage shared between Jainism and Heartfulness. The book unveils profound insights into the origins and legacy of both traditions, offering timeless wisdom for modern life. More than a historical or philosophical treatise, it is an inspiring call for the common man to embrace a life of spiritual awareness and ecological responsibility, something that is at the core of Babuji’s life philosophy.

The second book, “A Symphony of Love” is a luminous collection of messages received by Mother Hélène Peyret, the devoted scribe of Babuji Maharaj, during her Monday meditation sessions with Rev. Daaji between 2012 and 2015. These intimate and revelatory conversations explore hidden dimensions of human existence, gently expanding the reader’s consciousness.

Shri Jishnu Dev Varma, Hon’ble Governor of Telangana said, “It is a moment of deep joy celebrating the 125th birth anniversary of Babuji Maharaj on the holy day of Akshay Tritiya. In this world of cacophony, silence is a rare luxury. Silence is meditative and regenerative. Inaugurating Babuji Vanam today, which celebrates the great heritage of silence – I understand how to look within, how to regenerate through silence. Kanha has a spiritual atmosphere which says that truth is uncomplicated which what ‘Sahaj Marg’ is. It actually means truth is uncomplicated. Bliss is not an explanation; it should come from experience. This is what Sahaj Marg’s truth is. Swami Vivekananda once said that it is not following a dogma, but that our culture teaches of being and becoming. This holy land is the birthplace of many divine scriptures. Babuji Maharaj’s mission was to teach the world that truth is uncomplicated. Our rishis have always taught us to experience the truth.”

As part of the program, a captivating projection mapping created with support from the Ministry of Culture brought to life the journey of Babuji Maharaj, tracing his early years, spiritual awakening, and transformative impact on humanity. The visual narrative, set against the backdrop of Kanha Shanti Vanam, mesmerized the audience and offered a heartfelt tribute to his timeless legacy.

The closing ceremony of the commemoration of 125th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of beloved Babuji in 2025 concluded with the musical performance by Ms Sniti Mishra. The spiritually uplifting music resonated with lakhs of participants worldwide, inspiring them to imbibe the noble qualities of Babuji Maharaj.