The Central Bureau of Investigation on Friday questioned industrialist Anil Ambani for the second consecutive day in connection with a Rs 2,929-crore cheating case linked to Reliance Communications, officials said.
Ambani arrived at the agency’s headquarters around 10 am, as investigators continued their probe into alleged financial irregularities stemming from a complaint filed by the State Bank of India.
On Thursday, the agency had sought his responses on allegations of fund diversion, misappropriation and other irregularities in loan facilities extended to the company. The case relates to alleged offences of criminal conspiracy, cheating and criminal breach of trust.
“The appearance is in furtherance to Mr Ambani's commitment to extend full cooperation in the matter with all agencies,” his spokesperson had said in a statement earlier.
The CBI registered the case in August last year, accusing Ambani and the company of allegedly defrauding SBI to the tune of Rs 2,929 crore. According to the bank’s complaint, which forms part of the FIR, Reliance Communications had outstanding dues of over Rs 40,000 crore to multiple lenders, with SBI alone facing losses of Rs 2,929 crore, based on 2018 figures.
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“It is alleged that the accused persons, in criminal conspiracy, misrepresented and got sanctioned credit facilities from SBI in favour of Reliance Communication Ltd,” a CBI spokesperson had said at the time of the case registration.
Responding to the allegations, Ambani’s spokesperson maintained, “Anil D Ambani denies all allegations and charges, and will duly defend himself.” Sources said the agency had earlier conducted searches at Ambani’s Mumbai residence, ‘Sea Wind’, located at Cuffe Parade.
The complaint pertains to transactions dating back more than a decade, according to Ambani’s side, which has argued that he was a non-executive director at the time and not involved in the company’s day-to-day operations.
“The matter remains sub-judice, pending before the NCLT and other judicial forums, including the Supreme Court, for the past six years,” the spokesperson said, adding that Ambani has challenged SBI’s declaration before the competent judicial forum.
Investigations in the case are ongoing.
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