CBI files 2nd charge sheet in RCom case, ₹971 crore SBI loss alleged
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a second supplementary charge sheet in the Reliance Communications Limited (RCom) case before a special court in Mumbai on Friday, 21 August, naming Reliance ADA Group Managing Director Amitabh Jhunjhunwala as an accused. The agency alleges criminal conspiracy, criminal misappropriation, and cheating that caused a wrongful loss of over ₹971 crore to the State Bank of India (SBI).
What the Charge Sheet Alleges
According to the CBI, Jhunjhunwala held a pivotal position within the Reliance ADA Group and allegedly acted in pursuance of a criminal conspiracy to cheat the SBI. The agency claims he dishonestly and fraudulently facilitated the availing of a term loan of ₹1,200 crore for Reliance Communications Limited and Reliance Infratel Limited. Neither company repaid the loans, reportedly causing a wrongful loss of ₹971.25 crore to the bank, according to the CBI statement.
Scale of the Case
The CBI registered the original case on the basis of an SBI complaint. According to the First Information Report (FIR), the total exposure of Indian public sector banks and financial institutions in this matter stands at ₹19,694.33 crore — underscoring the scale of the alleged fraud. The Supreme Court is actively monitoring the investigation.
Previous Charge Sheets and Arrests
The CBI had filed its first charge sheet on 29 May this year, naming 16 accused persons, including Reliance Communications Limited itself, five senior company executives, and 10 bank officials. A subsequent supplementary charge sheet was filed against Netizen Engineering P Limited and its directors, Anil Jamna Kalya and Tunu Sahu. With the latest filing against Jhunjhunwala, the total number of accused in this case has risen to 20. The agency has so far arrested seven accused persons across the Reliance ADA Group cases, all of whom are currently in judicial custody.
Broader Reliance ADA Group Probe
The RCom case is part of a wider CBI investigation into the Reliance ADA Group. The bureau has registered eight FIRs against four group entities — Reliance Communications Limited (RCom), Reliance Home Finance Limited (RHFL), Reliance Commercial Finance Limited (RCFL), and Reliance Telecom Limited (RTL) — on complaints received from various public sector banks, the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), and the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).
What Comes Next
The CBI has stated that further investigation continues against other accused persons and into additional aspects of the case. With the Supreme Court's oversight in place and the total bank exposure exceeding ₹19,694 crore, more filings and potential arrests cannot be ruled out as the probe widens.