ENFORCEMENT DIRECTORATE'S ROLE AND POWERS IN INVESTIGATING FEMA VIOLATIONS: LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND CHALLENGES

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) plays a crucial role in investigating violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA). As a regulatory body tasked with ensuring compliance with foreign exchange laws, ED has significant investigative powers. However, FEMA is a civil law, and ED's powers under it are limited compared to its authority under criminal laws like the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). This paper examines ED’s role in FEMA violations, the legal framework governing its actions, key judicial interpretations, challenges in enforcement, and possible reforms to enhance its efficiency.