The Enforcement Directorate (ED) issued a fresh order on Saturday to attach assets worth ₹1,021 crore as part of a money laundering investigation against the Reliance Anil Ambani Group. According to the latest ED statement, the provisional order under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) attaches equity shares of Reliance Power Limited held by Reliance Infrastructure Limited and certain loan amount receivable from Sasan Power Limited and Reliance Power Limited. The newly attached properties include equity shares of Reliance Power Limited held by Reliance Infrastructure Limited, and certain loan amounts receivable from Sasan Power Limited and Reliance Power Limited.
The investigation stems from a CBI FIR against Reliance Home Finance Limited (RHFL) and Reliance Commercial Finance Limited (RCFL). As reported by the ED, the probe found that public funds worth ₹15,548 crore raised by RHFL and RCFL were systematically diverted through a web of 'shell' (dummy) and group companies controlled and managed by the Reliance Anil Ambani Group. The ED's probe into money laundering allegations is based on multiple First Information Reports registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation, following complaints filed by several public and private sector banks. The investigation has searched over 80 premises so far and is investigating multiple cases against the Group in connection with four FIRs filed under the anti-money laundering law and three under provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).
With the latest order, the total value of properties attached in this case has reached ₹20,367 crore, according to the ED. The agency has filed four chargesheets and arrested eight persons so far in connection with the investigation. Additionally, properties worth ₹77.86 crore have been attached under the FEMA, as reported by the ED. The arrested persons include eight senior officers/close associates of the Group, demonstrating the comprehensive nature of the investigation. The investigation remains underway as the ED continues to examine the alleged financial transactions, fund flows and the role of various entities connected to the Reliance Anil Ambani Group.
