ED Intensifies Probe with Fresh Summons for Anil and Tina Ambani
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has escalated its investigation into alleged money laundering involving industrialist Anil Ambani and his entities by issuing fresh summonses to him and his wife, Tina Ambani. Both have been called to appear at the ED headquarters in Delhi next week for questioning in connection with a probe into the alleged laundering of Rs 40,000 crore.
Details of the Summons and Asset Attachments
Anil Ambani, who was previously questioned in this ongoing probe last year, has been summoned to appear on February 18. Tina Ambani, who did not respond to an initial summons on Monday, has been called to join the investigation a day earlier, on February 17. The ED has already attached assets worth Rs 12,000 crore belonging to Anil Ambani and his Reliance group entities. Authorities are preparing to initiate further proceedings for the restitution of these assets to banks and other lenders once confiscation is permitted.
Legal Restrictions and Investigation Progress
In a significant development, the Delhi High Court has imposed restrictions on the beleaguered industrialist, barring him from creating any third-party interest in the attached assets. This includes further leasing or any other dealings that could affect the assets' value. The ED has entrusted the investigation against Anil Ambani to a Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted on the direction of the Supreme Court, to ensure the probe reaches its logical conclusion swiftly.
Focus on Manhattan Apartment and Broader Allegations
Tina Ambani's summons is specifically linked to the purchase of an apartment in Manhattan, New York. Her name emerged during the custodial interrogation of Punit Garg, a close confidant of Anil Ambani who was arrested last week. Sources indicate that the Manhattan apartment is suspected to have been purchased using alleged proceeds of crime siphoned from bank loans received by Reliance Communication from a consortium led by the State Bank of India.
The ED has uncovered a complex network of shell entities involved in money laundering. One such entity received the sale proceeds of the New York apartment, amounting to $8.3 million, which were remitted from the United States under the guise of a sham investment arrangement with a Dubai-based entity controlled by an individual linked to Pakistan.
Multiple Agencies and Ongoing Cases
Both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the ED are probing Anil Ambani and his entities, with plans to file multiple additional cases against him. The allegations involve the diversion of funds from more than twenty loans taken from various financial institutions, highlighting the scale and complexity of the financial misconduct under investigation.
