ED seizes evidence in money laundering case against Anil Ambani Group

The ED seized evidence and assets linked to the Reliance Anil Ambani Group in a money laundering case. The probe involves the diversion of thousands of crores of public funds by group companies RHFL and RCFL through a web of shell entities.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized evidence pertaining to suspicious transactions and assets beneficially owned or controlled by Reliance Anil Ambani Group in its ongoing money laundering case, the agency said on Wednesday. Several incriminating documents, records relating to immovable properties and other evidentiary materials have also been seized during searches conducted on July 7 at the premises of E-Complex Private Limited and the residential premises of one of its directors.

Probe into RHFL and RCFL Fund Diversion

ED's fresh action comes in continuation of an ongoing investigation into cases pertaining to the diversion and siphoning of public funds by Reliance Home Finance Limited (RHFL) and Reliance Commercial Finance Limited (RCFL) under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The ED had initiated an investigation on the basis of multiple FIRs registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Delhi, pursuant to complaints filed by Yes Bank, Bank of Baroda, Bank of Maharashtra, Canara Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Punjab National Bank, Punjab and Sind Bank, State Bank of India, UCO Bank, Union Bank of India and Axis Bank Ltd. Earlier, the ED had filed a prosecution complaint before a special PMLA court on June 12 in this case.

Investigation Findings

In a statement, ED said, its investigation conducted so far has revealed that public funds amounting to thousands of crores of rupees, raised by RHFL and RCFL, were systematically diverted through a web of shell and group companies controlled and managed by the Reliance Anil Ambani Group. "Corporate loans were sanctioned to these entities in gross violation of prudent lending norms, without adequate due diligence, proper documentation or assessment of creditworthiness. The beneficiary entities were found to be financially weak, lacking genuine business operations and possessing little or no repayment capacity," said the federal agency.

"Investigation has further revealed that the Directors of these shell entities were employees or close associates of the Reliance Anil Ambani Group and functioned under the directions of the senior management of the Group. The bank accounts and books of account of these entities were operated and maintained by officials of flagship group companies, including Reliance Infrastructure Limited, Reliance Power Limited and Reliance Capital Limited, thereby establishing their effective control over these shell entities."

Proceeds of Crime and Asset Attachment

Total proceeds of crime of Rs 15,548 crore has been quantified in the case, and properties amounting to Rs 4,510 crore have been attached till now under the provisions of the PMLA. ED said the attached properties amounting to Rs 3,926 crores have been confirmed by the adjudicating authority till date.

Key Arrests Made Earlier

Earlier, the ED had made two arrests in this case. Amitabh Jhunjhunwala (Ex-Director of Reliance Capital Limited) and Amit Bapna (Ex- CFO of Reliance Capital Limited) were arrested in the case on April 15 this year for their active involvement in the diversion of funds from RHFL and RCFL.

"At the relevant time, both RHFL and RCFL were subsidiaries of Reliance Capital Limited. Both accused are presently in judicial custody, and further investigation is under process," added the agency. (ANI)

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