New Delhi: Reliance Group chairman Anil Ambani was questioned for over nine hours by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a Rs 40,000 crore RCOM-linked money laundering probe the other day, even as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a fresh bank fraud case against him and the company in a separate matter.

The 66-year-old industrialist appeared before the federal agency at its central Delhi office around 10.30 am and left shortly after 8.20 pm on Thursday. Officials said his statement was recorded under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The ED investigation pertains to alleged financial irregularities and bank fraud involving Reliance Communications (RCOM). The agency had earlier claimed that the alleged laundered funds were "diverted" through multiple foreign subsidiaries and offshore entities linked to the company. In January, the ED had arrested former RCOM president Punit Garg as part of the probe.

Ambani has been summoned again on Friday in connection with a separate case related to an alleged loan fraud involving Yes Bank. He was earlier questioned in August 2025 in the same matter.

The ED recently constituted a special investigation team (SIT) to examine multiple allegations of loan fraud against Ambani and several group entities, following directions from the Supreme Court. On Wednesday, the agency attached his Mumbai residence, ‘Abode’, valued at Rs 3,716 crore, under the anti-money laundering law.

Meanwhile, the CBI on Thursday registered a fresh FIR against Ambani and RCOM, alleging that they cheated the Bank of Baroda between 2013 and 2017, causing a wrongful loss of more than Rs 2,220 crore. The agency also conducted searches at Ambani’s residence and RCOM offices as part of the investigation.

According to information furnished by the ED before the apex court, three money laundering cases have been filed against the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) in relation to alleged bank loan fraud and other financial irregularities.


PTI