India’s federal investigator files criminal case against tycoon Anil Ambani

Published August 23, 2025
Anil Ambani, chairman of the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group, attends the company’s annual general meeting in Mumbai, India, September 30, 2019. — Reuters/File
Anil Ambani, chairman of the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group, attends the company’s annual general meeting in Mumbai, India, September 30, 2019. — Reuters/File

India’s national investigative bureau opened a criminal case against tycoon Anil Ambani after receiving a complaint from the country’s biggest bank alleging fraud, the agency said on Saturday.

Anil, the younger sibling of Asia’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani, has business interests that range from power to defence.

The State Bank of India (SBI) alleged Anil and his former telecom firm, Reliance Communications, “misappropriated” bank funds by entering into transactions that violated the terms of the loans.

SBI claims it was hit with a loss of 29.29 billion rupees ($335.4 million) as a result of their actions.

The Central Bureau of Investigation said it had registered a case and that the bank’s complaint would be subjected to “thorough investigation”.

The agency searched premises linked to Reliance Communications and Anil’s residence on Saturday.

His spokesperson said the tycoon “strongly denies all allegations and charges” and “will duly defend himself”.

“The complaint filed by SBI pertains to matters dating back more than 10 years. At the relevant time, Ambani was a non-executive director of the company, with no involvement in the day-to-day management,” the spokesperson said.

“It is pertinent to note that SBI, by its own order, has already withdrawn proceedings against five other non-executive directors. Despite this, Ambani has been selectively singled out.”

Anil was last in the public spotlight seven years ago after Indian politician Rahul Gandhi accused Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and him of dodgy dealings related to the purchase of Rafale jets from France — allegations that both denied.

India’s Supreme Court in December 2018 dismissed calls for an investigation into the controversial jet deal, saying it did “not find any substantial material on record to show that this is a case of commercial favouritism to any party by the Indian government”.

Follow Dawn Business on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Editorial

War & deception
Updated 09 Mar, 2026

War & deception

While there is little doubt that Iran is involved in many of the retaliatory attacks, the facts raise suspicions that another player may be at work.
The witness box
09 Mar, 2026

The witness box

IT is often the fear of the courtroom and what may transpire therein that drives many victims of crime, especially...
Asylum applications
09 Mar, 2026

Asylum applications

BRITAIN’S tough immigration posture has again drawn attention to the sharp rise in asylum claims by Pakistani...
Petrol shock
Updated 08 Mar, 2026

Petrol shock

With oil markets bracing for more volatility, more price shocks are inevitable in the coming weeks.
Women’s Day
08 Mar, 2026

Women’s Day

IT is a simple truth: societies progress when women are able to shape them. Yet the struggle for equality has never...
Rescuing hockey
08 Mar, 2026

Rescuing hockey

PAKISTAN hockey is back to where it should be. Years of misses came to an end on Friday with a long-awaited...