<h1>Prosecution sanction in money laundering probe against political leader amid allegations of investigative agency misuse and political motive</h1> The Union Home Ministry granted prosecution sanction enabling the Enforcement Directorate to prosecute a senior political leader under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in an excise policy-linked money laundering case; the leader had been arrested earlier, a chargesheet filed, and the excise policy later scrapped. The leader's party alleges the arrest and detention occurred without prior sanction, cites judicial remarks and bail as showing lack of evidence, and contends the sanction reflects misuse of investigative agencies for political purposes ahead of elections.