Corruption is not just a crime. It’s a pervasive force that leaves a lasting impact on the daily lives of ordinary citizens. It dictates who gets access to resources and justice. Fighting this crime is not only a complex task but can also be a dangerous one.
“People are surprised that it could get dangerous sometimes,” says Visakh Krishna, Joint Director of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), offering a rare glimpse into the gruelling work of India’s leading financial crime fighting agency.
The Enforcement Directorate has investigated several high-profile cases involving powerful politicians and business elites, gaining media traction.
But what does this important work entail, beyond the breaking headlines? How does corruption affect ordinary citizens and how does India navigate the complex world of transnational financial crime?
Visakh’s journey into anti-corruption was not exactly preordained. “My parents wanted me to become a doctor. I wanted to become a doctor. But then, after schooling, I suddenly realized that hospitals were not my thing,” he says. The pivot to civil service was the next natural choice.
After cracking one of India’s toughest exams, he joined the Indian Revenue Service, where he specialized in tax enforcement before transitioning into financial crime investigations.
“I aspired to serve the country. That was always the driving force.”
India is one of the fastest-growing economies, yet corruption remains a persistent challenge. As Visakh explains, India faces a dual reality: booming development on one hand and corruption siphoning public funds on the other.
“When money is generated, corruption has a way of showing up,” he says. The Directorate plays a crucial role in tracing illicit funds that leave India through money-laundering channels and hawala networks – an informal value transfer system that operates outside of conventional banking.
“One of the biggest challenges we face is the flow of funds outside the country,” he says. “It goes through multiple channels, often bypassing banking systems through informal networks like hawala.” In such cases, proving the link between the original offence and the final location of assets can be near impossible. “You have multiple countries involved and you need all the information from all of these countries at the end of the chain, but you don’t have the proof on paper.”
It is also common in India to purchase assets in the name of a spouse or a sibling. “That is why we are trying to push other countries to recognize the equivalent values of proceeds,” Visakh says, ensuring that if ownership can be proven, the rightful value of those assets can still be recovered. This discrepancy currently makes it challenging to restrain or recover assets in cross-border cases.
Given these challenges, international cooperation has become essential. This is where UNODC’s Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities – GlobE Network – plays a crucial role. India has actively engaged in the Network and is now a member of the Steering Committee, advocating for stronger connections between member authorities. “When you go through formal or diplomatic channels, you might not reach the right person,” Visakh explains. “But through the Network, we have direct contact points.”
“One of the biggest advantages of the Network [the GlobE Network] is that we can get quick responses from other agencies,” he notes. The ability to exchange information informally can be the deciding factor in whether a case moves forward or stalls.
“In the past few years, we have successfully recovered and restored nearly US$2 billion to victims,” he states.
This figure is more than just a statistic. It represents justice served and public trust restored.
While asset recovery and legal action are critical, the battle against corruption can’t be won through enforcement alone. A cultural shift is necessary.
“Even those who complain about corruption may choose to pay a bribe to get things done quickly,” he explains. In India, it’s called ‘jugaad’- a “shortcut mechanism” – one way to overcome a problem. But relying on temporary fixes is not sustainable. So, how to break this cycle? Digitalization has emerged as an effective tool.
“Now, many services are moving online. There’s no need for human interaction where bribery could occur.” Automated traffic fines, digital tax filings and e-governance platforms reduce opportunities by eliminating face-to-face negotiations.
Transparency laws, like India’s Right to Information Act, have also empowered citizens to hold the government accountable.
Visakh does not aspire for personal recognition but hopes to leave behind a stronger institutional framework for tackling corruption.
The battle against corruption is far from over. “I don’t think enough importance is given to the preventive aspect of anti-corruption, enough safeguards, enough checks. But we are going into the right direction,” he concludes.
Learn more about the GlobE Network: https://globenetwork.unodc.org/
Learn more about India’s Directorate of Enforcement: https://enforcementdirectorate.gov.in/
