Has the ED Attached Anil Ambani Group-Linked Assets Worth Nearly Rs 9,000 Crore?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- ED attaches assets worth Rs 1,452.51 crore.
- Investigation initiated based on CBI FIR.
- Allegations of fraud against RCOM.
- Significant funds misappropriated.
- Further investigations are ongoing.
New Delhi, Nov 20 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) announced on Thursday that it has provisionally attached several properties tied to the Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group, valued at Rs 1,452.51 crore, as part of an ongoing money laundering investigation.
In their official communication, the ED revealed that multiple structures within the Dhirubhai Ambani Knowledge City (DAKC) and Millennium Business Park in Navi Mumbai, alongside various plots and buildings located in Pune, Chennai, and Bhubaneswar, have been included in this attachment under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
It's noteworthy that the ED had previously attached assets exceeding Rs 7,545 crore linked to Reliance Communications Ltd. (RCOM), Reliance Commercial Finance Ltd., and Reliance Home Finance Ltd. amid allegations of bank fraud.
According to the statement, the investigation was initiated following an FIR lodged by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act against RCOM, Anil Ambani, and associated individuals.
The ED's findings indicate that RCOM and its affiliates secured loans from both domestic and international lenders from 2010 to 2012, with an outstanding amount of Rs 40,185 crore. Notably, nine banks have labeled the loan accounts of the group as fraudulent.
The investigation further disclosed that funds borrowed by one entity from a bank were misappropriated for settling debts incurred by other entities with different banks, transferring to related parties, and investing in mutual funds, thereby violating the loan agreements.
Specifically, RCOM and its associated companies misdirected over Rs 13,600 crore to keep loans afloat; over Rs 12,600 crore was funneled to connected parties, and over Rs 1,800 crore was invested in fixed deposits/mutual funds, which were largely liquidated for reallocation to group entities.
“The cumulative attachment in these investigations amounts to Rs 8,997 crore. The ED is vigorously pursuing those involved in financial misconduct and aims to return the Proceeds of Crime to their rightful owners. Further inquiries are underway,” stated the agency.
In a related development, Chairman Anil Ambani of the Reliance ADAG Group failed to respond to the ED summons for the second time, intended for questioning at the agency’s Delhi headquarters regarding a FEMA investigation associated with the Jaipur–Reengus highway project. Anil Ambani has requested permission to attend virtually.