ED Attaches ₹1,885 Crore Assets of Anil Ambani Group

ED Intensifies Probe with New Attachments

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has intensified its money laundering investigation into the Anil Ambani Group, provisionally attaching assets valued at ₹1,885 crore on January 28, 2026. This action is part of a larger probe connected to alleged bank fraud and the diversion of public funds involving several group companies. The move signals a significant development in a long-running investigation that has seen cumulative attachments reach approximately ₹12,000 crore. The agency's actions target assets linked to Reliance Home Finance Limited (RHFL), Reliance Commercial Finance Limited (RCFL), Reliance Communications Limited (RCom), and exposures related to Yes Bank.

Details of the January 2026 Seizure

The latest attachment was executed through four separate provisional orders under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). According to the ED, the seized assets are diverse and include bank balances, financial receivables, and shareholdings in unquoted investments. A significant portion of the attachment includes Reliance Infrastructure Limited's stakes in key power distribution companies, BSES Yamuna Power Limited and BSES Rajdhani Power Limited, as well as its holding in Mumbai Metro One Private Limited. Additionally, the agency attached ₹148 crore in bank balances and receivables worth ₹143 crore held by Value Corp Finance and Securities Limited. The action also covered a residential house registered to a senior employee of the group and movable assets, such as shares and mutual funds, linked to a former company director.

Cumulative Attachments Cross ₹12,000 Crore Mark

This recent seizure builds upon previous actions taken by the ED. The agency had earlier attached properties worth over ₹10,117 crore in related bank fraud cases concerning RCom, RCFL, and RHFL. With the addition of the ₹1,885 crore in assets, the total value of provisional attachments in these interconnected investigations now stands at a substantial ₹12,000 crore. This figure underscores the scale of the alleged financial irregularities being investigated by federal agencies. The probe stems from a CBI FIR that alleged bank fraud exceeding ₹40,000 crore, with investigators claiming that over ₹11,000 crore in public funds were indirectly routed to the group's finance firms via Yes Bank and the erstwhile Reliance Nippon Mutual Fund.

Arrest of Former RCom Director

A day after the asset attachment, on January 29, 2026, the ED arrested Punit Garg, a former director at Reliance Communications. This arrest was made in connection with the same bank fraud case, highlighting the agency's focus on holding individuals accountable. The action against Garg is based on the ongoing investigation into the financial dealings of RCom and its officials during the period when the alleged fraud took place.

Reliance Group's Stance on RCom's Status

In response to the ED's actions, the Reliance Group has consistently clarified its position regarding Reliance Communications. A group spokesperson has repeatedly stated that the attached assets primarily pertain to RCom, a company that has not been part of the Reliance Group since 2019. For over six years, RCom has been undergoing a Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) under the supervision of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and the Supreme Court. The company is currently managed by a Resolution Professional appointed by its lenders, led by the State Bank of India (SBI).

No Impact on Reliance Infrastructure and Power

The group has also emphasized that the ED's attachment orders have no material impact on the operations or future prospects of its other listed companies, namely Reliance Infrastructure and Reliance Power. These companies continue to operate normally, focusing on their growth and commitments to their stakeholders. The spokesperson also noted that Anil Ambani resigned from the board of RCom in 2019 and has not served on the boards of Reliance Infrastructure or Reliance Power for more than three and a half years.

Summary of ED Actions

Market Implications of the Probe

The ongoing investigation and large-scale asset attachments have significant implications for the financial sector. Such actions serve as a strong deterrent against corporate fraud and highlight the increasing scrutiny on loan defaults and fund diversion. For investors, the distinction made by the Reliance Group between the legacy issues at the insolvent RCom and the operational status of other group companies is critical. The resolution process for RCom, which is already complex and sub judice, may face further hurdles as a result of these attachments, potentially affecting the recovery process for lenders.

Conclusion: Investigation Continues

The ED's recent attachment of ₹1,885 crore in assets and the arrest of a former director mark a critical phase in the investigation into the Anil Ambani Group. With total seizures now at ₹12,000 crore, the probe continues to unravel a complex web of financial transactions. While the Reliance Group maintains that the issue is confined to the now-separate and insolvent RCom, the investigation's outcome will be closely watched by the financial community and regulators.