Winning Bizness Desk
Mumbai.The Enforcement Directorate has attached assets worth ₹3,034 crore linked to the Reliance Anil Ambani Group, widening its ongoing money laundering investigation. The action was taken on Tuesday under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, focusing on properties connected to Reliance Communications and Reliance Infrastructure. With this move, the agency’s total attachment in the case has risen sharply, signalling deeper scrutiny of the group’s financial dealings.
Fresh attachment targets key group-linked properties
The ED’s latest action covers a range of movable and immovable assets tied to the group’s companies. These include high-value properties and equity holdings that investigators believe are linked to alleged financial irregularities.
- A residential flat in Mumbai has been attached
- A farmhouse in Khandala hill station seized
- 7.71 crore shares of Reliance Infrastructure under lens
- Land parcel in Sanand, Ahmedabad also attached
The provisional attachment order has been issued under PMLA provisions, allowing the agency to secure assets during the investigation.
Total seizure climbs to ₹19,344 crore now
With the latest action, the ED has cumulatively attached assets worth ₹19,344 crore in cases linked to the group. Officials say the probe has been ongoing for several years, focusing on alleged large-scale financial misconduct involving multiple companies under the Anil Ambani-led umbrella.
Focus on loan misuse and fund diversion
At the core of the investigation are allegations that loans taken from banks were not used for their intended purposes. Instead, the ED suspects diversion of funds through a network of transactions, prompting continuous tracking and attachment of assets believed to be proceeds of crime.
Group faces rising debt and legal pressure
Reliance Communications is already undergoing insolvency proceedings, reflecting the group’s financial strain. The latest attachment of assets linked to Reliance Infrastructure is expected to add to the pressure, as several group entities remain burdened by heavy debt and regulatory scrutiny.
Legal framework behind ED’s action explained
The action has been carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, a law enacted in 2002 to curb illegal financial flows and confiscate assets derived from unlawful activities.
- PMLA allows seizure of suspected illegal assets
- Provisional attachment is valid for 180 days
- Final confiscation needs adjudicating authority approval
- Aimed at preventing disposal of tainted properties
The case remains under active investigation, with more actions possible as agencies continue to trace the alleged money trail.
