Mon Nov 17 11:13:28 UTC 2025: Summary:
Reliance Group Chairman Anil Ambani has refused to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for the second time in a Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) case related to the Jaipur-Reengus highway project. The ED alleges that funds were siphoned from the project through shell companies to Dubai, uncovering a wider international hawala network. Ambani offered to testify virtually, which the ED rejected. The investigation is linked to a 2010 contract awarded to Reliance Infrastructure Ltd., with the ED questioning several individuals, including alleged hawala dealers. Ambani’s spokesperson maintains the contract was purely domestic and that Ambani was not involved in day-to-day management of the company.
News Article:
Anil Ambani Skips ED Summons Again in FEMA Case
NEW DELHI – November 17, 2025 – Reliance Group Chairman Anil Ambani has once again declined to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) investigation. This marks the second time Mr. Ambani has skipped the summons, following his initial absence on November 14.
The ED is investigating alleged FEMA violations related to the Jaipur-Reengus highway project. The agency claims that ₹40 crore was illicitly diverted from the project through Surat-based shell companies, with funds eventually reaching Dubai. This investigation has reportedly uncovered a larger international hawala network estimated to exceed ₹600 crore.
Mr. Ambani offered to provide his statement virtually via recorded video conference, but this offer was rejected by the ED. It remains unclear if the agency will issue a third summons.
A spokesperson for Mr. Ambani stated that he is willing to cooperate with the investigation and make himself available for questioning virtually “at any date and time suitable to ED.” The spokesperson further clarified that the FEMA case dates back to 2010 and concerns a road contractor, emphasizing that the JR Toll Road project was purely domestic and involved no foreign exchange.
The statement also noted that Mr. Ambani served Reliance Infrastructure as a non-executive director between April 2007 and March 2022, and was not involved in the company’s day-to-day operations.
This is not the first time Mr. Ambani has faced scrutiny from the ED. He was previously questioned in a money laundering case related to an alleged ₹17,000-crore bank fraud against his group companies.
The ED has not yet commented on its next steps in the investigation.