ED arrests 2 Reliance Anil Ambani Group MDs under PMLA in ongoing probe
Synopsis
The ED has arrested two former Group MDs of the Reliance Anil Ambani Group — Sateesh Seth and Gautam Doshi — under PMLA, alleging they were central to siphoning public funds from infrastructure and telecom arms of the group. With separate custody remands in place and the Reliance Group publicly distancing itself from both men, the probe appears to be widening significantly.
Key Takeaways
The Enforcement Directorate arrested Sateesh Seth and Gautam Bhailal Doshi , former Group MDs of Reliance Anil Ambani Group (RAAG) , on 12 June under the PMLA .
Seth (age 70 ) was remanded to ED custody for 6 days in the Reliance Infrastructure Limited case; Doshi (age 73 ) for 5 days in the Reliance Communications Limited case.
The ED alleges Seth was instrumental in siphoning public funds from road construction projects, while Doshi allegedly built the corporate structure used to divert proceeds of crime.
The Reliance Group said Seth left in 2025 and Doshi left in 2020 , and both are 'not associated with the Group'.
The arrests mark a significant escalation in the ED's broader investigation into RAAG, spanning both its infrastructure and telecom businesses.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday, 15 June arrested Sateesh Seth and Gautam Bhailal Doshi, both former Group Managing Directors of the Reliance Anil Ambani Group (RAAG), under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Both have been remanded to ED custody as the agency's investigation into the conglomerate continues.
Arrests and Custody Details
The arrests were made on 12 June — Seth in connection with the Reliance Infrastructure Limited matter, and Doshi in connection with the Reliance Communications Limited matter. Seth was first produced before the Special Court (PMLA) in Greater Mumbai, where the ED was granted transit remand. He was subsequently produced before the Special Court (PMLA) at Dwarka, New Delhi, which sent him to ED custody for 6 days. Doshi was produced before the Special Court (PMLA) at Rouse Avenue, New Delhi, and remanded to ED custody for 5 days.
What the ED Alleges
According to the ED, Seth held the position of Group Managing Director and exercised control over key commercial and financial decisions across several RAAG companies. He has held directorships in multiple group entities engaged in infrastructure, power, and allied sectors, and has been associated with Reliance Infrastructure Limited since 2000. The agency alleges he was instrumental in siphoning off public funds from road construction projects undertaken by Reliance Infrastructure Ltd.
Doshi, the ED said, served as a Group Managing Director overseeing taxation, planning, compliance, and risk management across group companies. He was also a Director in Reliance Telecom Limited and an authorised signatory for bank accounts of multiple Indian and foreign RAAG entities. Investigators allege Doshi played a key role in creating the corporate structure used to siphon proceeds of crime from Reliance Communications Limited and Reliance Telecom Limited.
Reliance Group's Response
A Reliance Group spokesperson distanced the conglomerate from the arrested individuals. 'Seth (age 70 years) and Doshi (age 73 years) are not associated with the Group,' the spokesperson said. The statement added that Seth left the Group in 2025, while Doshi departed six years ago, in 2020, though both had previously served as Group Managing Directors and directors on the boards of several group companies.
Broader Context
The arrests mark a significant escalation in the ED's long-running investigation into RAAG, which has faced mounting legal and financial scrutiny over the past several years. This comes amid a wider pattern of regulatory and enforcement action against entities linked to the Anil Ambani-led group, which has seen multiple companies face insolvency proceedings and debt defaults. Notably, the dual arrests — spanning both infrastructure and telecom arms — suggest the probe has broadened in scope. The outcome of the custody period and any further chargesheet filings will be closely watched by creditors and market observers alike.
Point of View
But it does not resolve the core question: how much of the alleged fund diversion was sanctioned at the group level versus executed by individual executives. With Reliance Communications already in insolvency and Reliance Infrastructure battling creditor disputes, the real accountability test lies in whether enforcement action translates into asset recovery for defrauded public lenders — something India's PMLA prosecutions have historically struggled to deliver at scale.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the ED arrested in the Reliance Anil Ambani Group case?
The ED has arrested Sateesh Seth and Gautam Bhailal Doshi, both former Group Managing Directors of the Reliance Anil Ambani Group (RAAG), on 12 June under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Seth is being investigated in the Reliance Infrastructure Limited matter, and Doshi in the Reliance Communications Limited matter.
How long have Seth and Doshi been sent to ED custody?
Sateesh Seth has been remanded to ED custody for 6 days by the Special Court (PMLA) in Dwarka, New Delhi. Gautam Doshi has been sent to ED custody for 5 days by the Special Court (PMLA) at Rouse Avenue, New Delhi.
What does the ED allege against the two accused?
The ED alleges that Seth was instrumental in siphoning public funds from road construction projects undertaken by Reliance Infrastructure Limited. Doshi is alleged to have created the corporate structure used to divert proceeds of crime from Reliance Communications Limited and Reliance Telecom Limited.
What is the Reliance Group's position on the arrests?
A Reliance Group spokesperson stated that Seth and Doshi 'are not associated with the Group,' noting that Seth left in 2025 and Doshi departed six years ago in 2020. The Group acknowledged both had previously served as Group Managing Directors and board directors across several companies.
What is the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)?
The PMLA is India's primary legislation for combating money laundering, administered by the Enforcement Directorate. It allows the ED to arrest, attach assets, and prosecute individuals accused of laundering proceeds from scheduled offences, including fraud and corruption.
