**Enforcement Directorate's Power of Custodial Interrogation**

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is a specialized law enforcement agency in India that primarily deals with economic offenses such as money laundering, foreign exchange violations, and financial frauds. It is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

**Power to Arrest and Investigate**

The ED has the power to arrest and conduct custodial interrogation under certain circumstances. The provisions related to arrest and investigation are mentioned in Section 19 of the PMLA. According to this section, an authorized officer of the ED can arrest a person if he has reasonable grounds to believe that the person has committed an offense punishable under the PMLA. The arrested person can be detained for a maximum period of 24 hours.

**Custodial Interrogation**

Custodial interrogation refers to the questioning of an accused person while in the custody of the investigating agency. It is a crucial tool for law enforcement agencies to gather evidence and extract information from the accused. During custodial interrogation, the accused person can be questioned about the offense, money trail, assets, and other related matters.

**Conditions for Custodial Interrogation**

The ED can conduct custodial interrogation under the following conditions:

1. Reasonable Grounds: The authorized officer must have reasonable grounds to believe that the person has committed an offense under the PMLA. These grounds are determined based on the available evidence and information.

2. Investigation Purposes: Custodial interrogation is conducted to gather evidence, unearth the money trail, identify the proceeds of crime, and gather intelligence about other persons involved in the offense.

3. Permission from Special Court: The ED is required to obtain permission from a Special Court for conducting custodial interrogation beyond the initial 24 hours. This ensures that the powers of the ED are not misused and there is judicial oversight.

4. Safeguards: During custodial interrogation, the rights of the accused, such as the right to remain silent, the right against self-incrimination, and the right to legal representation, must be respected.

**Conclusion**

In conclusion, the Enforcement Directorate has the power of custodial interrogation under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. However, this power is subject to certain conditions, including reasonable grounds, investigation purposes, permission from a Special Court, and the safeguarding of the rights of the accused. Custodial interrogation is an important tool for the ED to gather evidence and extract information in cases related to economic offenses.