The Supreme Court bench passed an important order today in the case related to Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) companies. The court directed CBI and ED to conduct a fair and impartial investigation in the alleged banking fraud case involving Anil Dhirubhai Ambani group companies.
Answer sought in four weeks
The bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant included Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi. He asked CBI and ED to file a fresh status report within four weeks. The bench remarked that it has already taken time for the agencies to start the investigation.
The court directed the ED to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of senior officers to investigate the ADGA and other concerned parties. Also, taking cognizance of the appearance of senior advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Shyam Dewan on behalf of Anil Ambani and ADAG, it gave them four weeks time to file their reply on the Public Interest Litigation (PIL).
Anil Amban will not go abroad without court permission
During the hearing, Rohatgi opposed the demand in which the court was requested to direct to ban Anil Ambani from leaving the country. He assured the bench that Anil Ambani would remain in India and would not go abroad without the permission of the court. On the other hand, Tushar Mehta, appearing for the investigating agencies, said that various Look-Out Circulars (LOC) are issued to prevent the concerned person from going abroad.
The court gave the last chance
Earlier, the court had asked CBI and ED to file a status report in this case in a sealed cover. On November 18, the bench had issued notice to the Central Government, CBI, ED, Anil Ambani and Reliance ADAG. However, the court clarified that this is the last opportunity being given to the parties to appear and file their replies.
The PIL, filed by petitioner EAS Sarma, alleges systematic misappropriation of public funds, alleged fabrication of financial statements and collusion at the institutional level in several units of Anil Ambani-led Reliance ADAG.
