ED Summons Anil Ambani in Manhattan Property Money Laundering Probe
The Enforcement Directorate has issued fresh summons to Reliance Group chairman Anil Ambani to appear for questioning on February 26, after he skipped a scheduled deposition this week. His wife, former actor Tina Ambani, has also sought adjournment twice and failed to appear before the agency on her scheduled dates in February. The couple has been called to record statements under India's Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with an investigation into alleged money laundering tied to the purchase of a luxury condominium in Manhattan, New York.
Background and Context
The case centers on what the ED describes as the fraudulent sale of a Manhattan property in 2023 during the corporate insolvency resolution process (CIRP) of Reliance Communications (RCOM). According to the agency, the sale proceeds of approximately USD 8.3 million were illegally remitted from the United States through what it calls a sham investment arrangement involving a Dubai-based entity controlled by a Pakistan-linked individual. The ED recently constituted a special investigation team to probe multiple cases of alleged bank fraud and financial irregularities against the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG), following directions from India's Supreme Court. To date, the agency has attached assets worth Rs 12,000 crore as part of its investigation.
Key Figures and Entities
Anil Ambani, who previously appeared before the ED in August 2025, faces renewed questioning as authorities deepen their investigation into the ADAG's financial dealings. His wife Tina Ambani has been summoned specifically regarding the money trail connected to the New York property. The ED recently arrested Punit Garg, former RCOM president, in relation to the case. According to agency officials, Garg orchestrated the fraudulent property sale during the insolvency proceedings without the knowledge or consent of the Resolution Professional overseeing CIRP. RCOM reportedly informed the stock exchange about this irregular sale in 2025.
Legal and Financial Mechanisms
The ED's investigation relies on provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, which allows authorities to attach and confiscate proceeds of crime. The agency claims that the Manhattan property sale was deliberately structured to obscure the beneficial ownership and movement of funds during insolvency proceedings. According to ED statements, the transaction involved complex international transfers from the USA to Dubai, allegedly exploiting regulatory blind spots between jurisdictions. The ED has already filed three Enforcement Case Information Reports (ECIRs) against Reliance Group companies as part of this broader investigation into alleged financial irregularities.
International Implications and Policy Response
This case highlights ongoing challenges in regulating cross-border financial transactions during corporate insolvency proceedings. The involvement of entities and individuals across multiple jurisdictions—including the USA, UAE, and alleged Pakistan connections—underscores the difficulties Indian authorities face in investigating and prosecuting complex money laundering schemes. The formation of a special investigation team by the ED represents an intensified approach to tackling financial crimes that transcend national boundaries. The case may prompt calls for enhanced international cooperation in financial investigations and stricter oversight of real estate transactions involving foreign entities.
Sources
This report draws on official statements from the Enforcement Directorate, court filings, and corporate disclosures by Reliance Communications to stock exchanges. Additional information was obtained from independent news reporting on financial crime investigations in India between 2023 and 2025.
