Following the Supreme Court order, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe money laundering cases worth ₹40,000 crore against Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) and other companies linked to it. The court had ordered a speedy investigation in this case without any discrimination.
Taking this step, ED had on Monday called Anil Ambani’s wife Tina Ambani for questioning at its headquarters in Delhi, but she did not appear. In such a situation, it is possible that he may be called again. The purpose of this questioning of Tina Ambani is to investigate the financial transactions related to the purchase of an apartment worth ₹ 70 crore in Manhattan, New York, for which senior Reliance executive and Ambani close Punit Garg was arrested last week. During custodial interrogation, Garg had taken the name of Tina Ambani.
What are the allegations against Anil Ambani?
Anil Ambani and Reliance Group companies are accused of transferring alleged bank loans worth ₹40,000 crore through shell companies. The Supreme Court expressed displeasure over the delay of CBI and ED in investigating this case. On February 4, the Supreme Court directed the investigating agencies to file separate cases in this ₹40,000 crore bank fraud. After this, both CBI and ED are preparing to file several cases against him. The CBI may have to file more cases, especially since the allegations of fund diversion relate to more than 20 loans taken from different financial institutions.
Shocking revelation in ED investigation
The ED has unearthed a network of shell companies involved in money laundering, in which one company had received ($8.3 million) from the sale of a Manhattan apartment. The money was transferred from the US under the guise of a fake investment agreement with a Dubai company, which was controlled by a person with Pakistani connections.