1 / 11The photos of piles of currency notes found during raids by ED at Arpita Mukherjee's two flats in West Bengal are becoming a topic of discussion. Such a large amount of cash was deposited in the house and seeing the photos of the ED action raised eyebrows.2 / 11You must also have seen the videos of ED officials carrying the seized money from a big container filled in a big trunk. So what exactly does the ED do with the seized money? You must have asked this question too.3 / 11What exactly happens to the amount or property seized by ED? This is what we are going to find out. Before that, if you look at the total amount of money seized by ED in the last four years, it will surely be shocking.4 / 11ED, CBI, Income Tax Department are empowered by law to carry out investigations and raids to seize movable and immovable property in cases of money laundering, income tax fraud or other malpractices. Investigating agencies have to do accurate counting of seized property at the scene of action5 / 11Seizure of assets after raids by ED or other investigative agencies and the subsequent process is not as simple as it sounds. Investigation agencies have to do many tasks in this. When investigative agencies conduct raids, they are acting on the information available to them.6 / 11Investigating agencies have powers to investigate. It has two parts. Arrest and interrogation of the first accused. The second part is to gather evidence related to the information received and conduct raids for this. In the last 6 years, ED has raided more than 2,600 locations across the country7 / 11Many types of items can be seized in raids conducted by investigative agencies. This includes documents, cash and other valuables like gold and silver. Panchnama of the items seized in the raid is duly done. 8 / 11If the seized cash has any specific marks or indications on the notes, then the concerned cash can be kept in a sealed envelope as evidence by the ED or the investigating agency to present the evidence before the court. while the other amount9 / 11The investigating agency deposits the seized amount in the central government account in Reserve Bank of India or State Bank of India. Sometimes the investigating agencies need to keep some amount as evidence, in which case the agency takes an internal order and hears the case10 / 11ED has power to seize assets under PMLA Section 5(1). Once the confiscation is proved in court, the central government takes possession of the property concerned under Section-9 of PMLA. Meanwhile in some cases even after confiscation of house or commercial property11 / 11Under the PMLA Act, the ED can impound a property for a maximum period of 180 days. During this period the ED has to prove in court that the seizure of the property concerned is valid in any case. If ED is unable to do so, confiscation after 180 days.