The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a fresh case against industrialist Anil Dhirajlal Ambani and Reliance Communications Limited, alleging a Rs 2,223.17 crore fraud on Bank of Baroda between 2013 and 2017.
The development comes after action by the Enforcement Directorate, with the CBI now initiating another criminal investigation based on a formal complaint from the bank.
Anil Ambani appeared before the Enforcement Directorate in Delhi today. The Enforcement Directorate had issued fresh summons to the Reliance Group chairman, directing him to appear for questioning on February 26, after he failed to attend a scheduled deposition last week, according to official sources.
FIR Based on Bank Complaint
According to the FIR, the agency received a complaint dated February 24, 2026, from Sudhakar Bhai Tripathi, Deputy General Manager at Bank of Baroda's Stressed Assets Management Branch in Mumbai.
The complaint alleges that Reliance Communications, along with Anil Ambani, unknown others and unknown public servants, cheated the bank and dishonestly induced it during the period 2013-17, resulting in a wrongful loss of Rs 2,223.17 crore.
The CBI has registered a Regular Case and assigned the probe to an Additional Superintendent of Police at its Banking Securities and Fraud Branch (BSFB) in Delhi.
Charges Invoked
The FIR cites offences under Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code, along with Section 13(2) read with 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
The agency said the complaint, which forms part of the FIR, prima facie discloses the commission of cognisable offences. The reference to "unknown public servants" indicates that the investigation may also examine the role of bank officials or other public functionaries in sanctioning or monitoring the loans.
Reliance Communications, once a major telecom operator, has been undergoing insolvency proceedings following mounting debt and operational challenges.
With the CBI now formally entering the case after the Enforcement Directorate's action, the probe is expected to examine loan sanction processes, fund utilisation patterns, and possible diversion of funds.
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