he Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned industrialist Anil Ambani and his wife Tina Ambani for questioning on February 17 and 18 in connection with an ongoing money-laundering probe into companies linked to the Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group, people familiar with the development said on Tuesday.
The summons come days after the Supreme Court directed central agencies to act “fairly, swiftly and without any fear or favour” while investigating alleged large-scale diversion of public funds by group entities. The court also asked authorities to ensure that Anil Ambani does not leave the country during the course of the probe.
Officials said the ED has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine multiple cases registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), following directions issued by the apex court last week. Anil Ambani had earlier appeared before investigators in the matter in 2025, while Tina Ambani reportedly did not comply with a previous summons issued on Monday.
According to the ED’s affidavit filed before the Supreme Court, investigations so far point to significant loan defaults across several Reliance Group companies, involving tens of thousands of crores of rupees borrowed from domestic and foreign lenders.
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In one case, Reliance Home Finance Ltd allegedly defaulted on loans worth Rs 7,523.46 crore taken from 33 banks and financial institutions. After resolution proceedings, lenders were able to recover only Rs 2,116.28 crore, leaving net defaults of Rs 5,407.18 crore, which the agency has termed “proceeds of crime” under the PMLA.
Another group entity, Reliance Commercial Finance Ltd, is accused of defaulting on Rs 8,226.05 crore borrowed from 21 lenders. Recoveries in this case stood at Rs 1,945.48 crore, resulting in alleged proceeds of crime amounting to Rs 6,280.57 crore, the ED told the court.
The agency has also detailed irregularities linked to Reliance Communications Ltd, following a complaint by the State Bank of India. According to investigators, Reliance Communications and its group firms — Reliance Telecom Ltd and Reliance Infratel Ltd — raised funds from 13 foreign banks and institutional investors as well as 26 Indian banks and financial institutions, with outstanding dues totalling Rs 40,185.55 crore. This entire amount, the ED has claimed, forms part of the suspected proceeds of crime.
So far, the ED has registered three separate cases under the PMLA in connection with the Reliance Group investigations.
During the recent hearing, the Supreme Court underscored the seriousness of the allegations and instructed central agencies to pursue the matter with urgency, citing the magnitude of the purported siphoning of public money. The Bench also asked the government to extend full cooperation to investigators to ensure a time-bound and transparent probe.
The Reliance Group has been approached for comment.
Legal experts say the formation of an SIT signals an intensification of the investigation, with agencies expected to focus on fund trails, related-party transactions and the role of key individuals in the alleged defaults.
The next round of questioning is expected to centre on loan utilisation, inter-company transfers and asset movements, as the ED seeks to establish whether borrowed funds were diverted in violation of banking norms.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
