ED Raids Anil Ambani-Linked Premises in ₹3000 Cr Money Laundering Probe Following SBI ‘Fraud’ Tag
In a major development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday, 24 July, launched massive search operations at over 35 locations in Mumbai linked to Anil Ambani and his companies, days after the State Bank of India (SBI) declared him a ‘fraud’ account holder. The raids span across 50 companies and more than 25 individuals, all under scrutiny for alleged violations of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). According to ED sources quoted by ANI, the investigation was initiated following FIRs registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The ED is probing suspected money laundering activities by Reliance Anil Ambani Group Companies (RAAGA). The agency is also acting on information received from National Housing Bank, SEBI, NFRA, and Bank of Baroda. The preliminary findings reportedly reveal a well-planned scheme to siphon off public funds through fraudulent practices, implicating banks, shareholders, investors, and other public institutions. Notably, the probe has brought to light the diversion of ₹3000 crore in loans from Yes Bank between 2017 and 2019. Sources indicate that Yes Bank promoters allegedly received bribes just before sanctioning the loans to RAAGA companies. Investigators have also found serious irregularities, including back-dated Credit Approval Memorandums (CAMs), no proper due diligence, and violations of internal credit policies during loan approvals. Meanwhile, SBI classified Anil Ambani and Reliance Communications (RCom) as ‘fraud’ entities on 13 June 2025, as per the RBI’s fraud risk guidelines. The bank has already reported the fraud to the RBI on 24 June and is preparing to file a formal complaint with the CBI. The Ministry of Finance, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha on Monday, disclosed that SBI’s credit exposure to RCom includes ₹2,227.64 crore in fund-based loans and ₹786.52 crore in non-fund-based bank guarantees, dating back to August 2016. Additionally, RCom’s Resolution Professional informed the Bombay Stock Exchange on 1 July about the fraud classification. As the investigation deepens, the ED is now examining a wider network of financial transactions, alleged bribes, and institutional lapses in one of the most high-profile probes involving a major Indian business tycoon.
