NEW DELHI, Feb 4: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to conduct a “fair”, “prompt” and dispassionate probe into alleged large-scale banking and corporate fraud involving the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG), Anil Ambani and group companies.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi sought fresh status reports from both agencies within four weeks on the progress of the ongoing investigations against Ambani and ADAG firms.
Noting that the probe agencies had already taken considerable time to initiate the investigation, the bench asked the ED to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of senior officers to probe the alleged irregularities involving ADAG and others.
The court also took note of the appearance of Anil Ambani and ADAG through senior advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Shyam Divan, granting them four weeks to file their responses to the public interest litigation (PIL).
During the hearing, Rohatgi opposed submissions seeking a court direction to prevent Ambani from leaving the country, assuring the bench that his client would remain in India and would not travel abroad without the court’s permission.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the probe agencies, informed the court that multiple lookout circulars had already been issued to ensure that the concerned individual does not leave the country.
Earlier, the bench had directed the CBI and ED to submit status reports in a sealed cover. On November 18, the court issued notices to the Centre, CBI, ED, Anil Ambani and ADAG on the PIL, granting them what it termed a final opportunity to appear and file responses.
The PIL, filed by former power secretary EAS Sarma, alleges systematic diversion of public funds, fabrication of financial statements and institutional complicity across multiple entities of the Anil Ambani-led Reliance ADAG. (Agencies)
