Businessman Anil Ambani is once again facing growing trouble. The Supreme Court has directed the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate to conduct a fair and speedy investigation into alleged large-scale banking and corporate fraud linked to the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group, Anil Ambani, and related companies.
A bench led by Chief Justice Suryakant, along with Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi, has asked both agencies to submit a fresh status report within four weeks. In its order, the court said the investigating agencies had already taken considerable time before starting the probe.
The bench instructed the ED to form a Special Investigation Team with senior officers to look into the ADAG and related cases. The court also granted four weeks to senior lawyers Mukul Rohatgi and Shyam Divan, appearing for Anil Ambani and ADAG, to file their response to the public interest petition.
During the hearing, Mukul Rohatgi opposed a plea seeking directions to stop Anil Ambani from leaving the country. He assured the bench that Ambani would remain in India and would not travel abroad without the court’s permission. Representing the investigating agencies, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said several lookout circulars have already been issued to ensure that the concerned persons do not leave the country.
Earlier, the bench had asked the CBI and ED to submit their status reports in sealed covers. On November 18, the court had issued notices to the Centre, CBI, ED, Anil Ambani, and ADAG in connection with the public interest petition. The bench said this was the final opportunity for them to appear before the court and submit their replies in the matter.