Court Issues Open-Ended NBW Against Vaishali Mane in RCOM Case
A Special CBI Court has issued an open-ended non-bailable warrant against Vaishali Mane in the Rs 40,000 crore RCOM money laundering case.
In a major development regarding the massive Rs 40,000 crore Reliance Communications (RCOM) money laundering case, a Special CBI Court in New Delhi has issued an open-ended non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Vaishali Mane. The order, passed by Special Judge (CBI) Ajay Gulati at the Rouse Avenue court, aims to secure her presence in the ongoing investigation conducted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Gravity of the Allegations
The court's decision follows a plea moved by the ED, highlighting the serious nature of the charges. While Mane has been chargesheeted, she has not yet been arrested. However, the court noted that the gravity of the alleged money laundering offences necessitates stringent measures to ensure she joins the legal proceedings.
"Having gone through the record and considering the submissions as well as the nature and gravity of the allegations... it is clear that for securing the presence of the accused, this court deems fit to issue open-ended NBWs," Special Judge Gulati ordered on Tuesday.
Crucially, the court specified that these warrants will remain in force indefinitely until they are either executed or formally cancelled by the court.
The Hunt for the Accused
The investigation has faced hurdles in locating Mane. According to a status report submitted to the court, previous attempts to serve summons and warrants had failed. The ED informed the court that despite sending notices via email and WhatsApp, Mane failed to appear for the investigation.
Details regarding her whereabouts emerged during the court proceedings:
- Last Known Address: When officials visited her last known residence, they met her mother.
- Current Location: Her mother informed officials that Mane has been residing in the United States since her marriage in 2015.
- Recent Travel: She reportedly last visited India in 2021.
- Refusal of Summons: A specific summons issued on February 19 for an appearance on March 2 was returned with a report stating it had been refused.
Background of the RCOM Probe
The RCOM case involves alleged financial irregularities and money laundering linked to the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) entity, Reliance Communications. The probe has already seen significant movement, with former Director Punit Narendra Garg currently in judicial custody following his arrest in January 2026.
The Enforcement Directorate is now required to submit a detailed report to the court regarding the verified whereabouts of Mane and the specific steps being taken to execute the open-ended warrants. The matter has been scheduled for further proceedings and the consideration of this report on November 16.