NEW DELHI: In a significant step, Bank of Baroda, one of India's leading public sector banks, has declared the loan accounts of Reliance Communications Ltd. (RCom) and its erstwhile Director, Anil Ambani, as 'fraud', according to an exchange filing.
This classification pertains to loans taken before RCom entered the corporate insolvency resolution process (CIRP), the exchange filing told on Thursday.
This development marks a crucial turn in the ongoing financial saga surrounding the once-prominent telecom company and its erstwhile director.
RCom, currently undergoing the CIRP under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016, has said that the loans in question relate to the period before its insolvency proceedings began. The company asserts that these loans must be resolved as part of a resolution plan or through liquidation under the IBC.
RCom is presently under the control of a resolution professional, Anish Niranjan Nanavaty.
Anil Ambani is no longer a director of the company.
A resolution plan for RCom has been approved by the committee of creditors and is awaiting approval from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).
RCom is seeking legal advice regarding Bank of Baroda's action.
The company highlighted that during the CIRP, it is protected from the institution or continuation of any suits or proceedings against it, including the execution of any judgment, decree, or order in any court of law, tribunal, or arbitration panel.
This development comes amidst an ongoing investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into alleged loan fraud involving Anil Ambani's group entities.
The ED has reportedly sought details from 12-13 banks regarding loans to Reliance Housing Finance, RCom, and Reliance Commercial Finance.
The estimated amount involved in this alleged fraud is nearly Rs 17, 000 crore.