Supreme Court to CBI, ED on Anil Ambani Case: "Reluctance is Unacceptable"

The Supreme Court on Monday expressed strong displeasure over the pace of investigation in the bank fraud case linked to industrialist Anil Ambani’s Reliance Communications, terming the conduct of central probe agencies as “unacceptable.” The court directed authorities to expedite the probe and ensure it is carried out in a time-bound and coordinated manner. The observations came during a hearing that focused on the progress made so far by investigative agencies in the high-profile case involving alleged financial irregularities.

A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant noted that while the judiciary cannot dictate arrests, the apparent lack of urgency shown by agencies raises serious concerns. The court emphasized that investigations must not only be fair but also inspire confidence among the public and the judiciary. It underlined that delays or reluctance in pursuing critical leads could undermine the credibility of the entire process.

The court further instructed the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation to work in close coordination. Stressing the importance of joint efforts, the bench directed the agencies to “join hands” and carry out a dispassionate and independent probe into the matter. It also asked the ED to report any instance where state authorities or financial institutions fail to cooperate with the ongoing investigation.

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During the proceedings, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that a Special Investigation Team comprising ED officials has already been constituted to handle the case. He stated that four arrests have been made so far and assets worth approximately ₹15,000 crore have been attached in connection with the alleged fraud. Mehta added that authorities are proceeding cautiously and cannot make arbitrary arrests, assuring the court that every aspect of the case is being thoroughly examined.

Representing the petitioners, senior advocate Prashant Bhushan raised concerns over the nature of the arrests made to date. He argued that action has largely been limited to lower-level functionaries despite serious findings in earlier reports. Bhushan pointed out that the Securities and Exchange Board of India had already flagged a potential scheme to siphon funds, yet no major developments had been seen from the CBI’s side.

Taking note of all submissions, the Supreme Court directed the ED to continue gathering information from financial institutions and provide updates as required. The bench reiterated the need for a swift, transparent, and accountable investigation process. The matter has now been posted for further hearing after four weeks, with the court expecting measurable progress by then in order to restore public trust in the probe.

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