Why Has the ED Summoned Anil Ambani to Appear in Delhi?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The ED has summoned Anil Ambani for questioning regarding a FEMA inquiry.
- Ambani's request for a virtual appearance was denied.
- The investigation is linked to a 2010 toll road contract.
- ED is actively pursuing financial crime cases involving Reliance Group.
- Over 132 acres of land have been provisionally attached by the ED.
New Delhi, Nov 14 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued new summons to Anil Ambani, chairman of the Reliance ADAG Group, requiring him to attend questioning at its Delhi headquarters this coming Monday, as per credible sources.
In response to an earlier summons, Ambani had requested a virtual appearance via email last Friday. However, the financial investigative agency declined this request, opting instead to issue a new summons for a personal appearance on November 17.
Ambani publicly stated he is “prepared to appear through virtual means,” reassuring that he will “fully cooperate with the ED regarding all inquiries.”
The statement further clarified that the “ED summons to Anil D. Ambani pertains to an inquiry under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), rather than any issue relating to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).”
This summons is related to a 2010 domestic EPC contract concerning the Jaipur–Reengus (JR) Toll Road and involves matters linked to a road contractor, without any foreign exchange elements, as noted.
“Anil D. Ambani is no longer a member of the Reliance Infrastructure Board. He held the position of non-executive director for approximately 15 years, from April 2007 to March 2022, and was not engaged in the daily operations of the company,” the statement added.
The ED summoned Ambani once again on November 14 as part of the ongoing investigation into a money laundering case involving the conglomerate. Previously, he underwent a rigorous nine-hour interrogation regarding an alleged Rs 17,000 crore loan fraud at the ED headquarters in August.
However, he did not attend that session.
This latest development follows the ED's provisional attachment of over 132 acres of land valued at Rs 4,462.81 crore in the Dhirubhai Ambani Knowledge City located in Navi Mumbai, under PMLA regulations.
Previously, the ED had attached 42 properties worth over Rs 3,083 crore linked to the Reliance Communications Ltd. (RCOM), Reliance Commercial Finance Ltd., and Reliance Home Finance Ltd. in connection with bank fraud cases.
The cumulative value of attachments in these cases exceeds Rs 7,545 crore. The ED is actively pursuing those responsible for financial crimes and is dedicated to returning the proceeds of crime to their rightful owners,” according to an official statement.
The investigation initiated by the ED is based on a CBI FIR under sections 120-B, 406, and 420 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and section 13(2) read with section 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1989, against RCOM, Anil Ambani, and others.
RCOM and its affiliated companies secured loans from both domestic and international lenders from 2010-2012, with a total outstanding amount of Rs 40,185 crore. Five banks have classified the loan accounts of the Group as fraudulent, the statement indicated.