CJI Surya Kant warns that only a tiny fraction of laundered money is recovered

At the Cambridge symposium on economic crime, Chief Justice Surya Kant warned that only Rs 1 is recovered for every Rs 100 laundered, underscoring the challenge posed by sophisticated economic offenders. He argued that the limited success stems from inadequate international cooperation on extradition and the rapid movement of illicit assets. While India has layered legislation and tools such as forfeiture orders and beneficial-ownership registers, the chief justice said the real obstacle is the willingness of jurisdictions to act together.

He cited historical cases involving Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi, whose extradition processes with the UK and the US, respectively, have yet to bear fruit. Kant also invoked ancient Indian legal thought to stress the need for rigorous audits and confiscation mechanisms. The remarks suggest that despite robust domestic frameworks, global coordination remains the key missing element in tackling money laundering.