In a major development in the ₹1,200 crore bank fraud case involving Amira Pure Foods Private Limited (APFPL), Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court on May 28 issued open-ended non-bailable warrants (NBWs) against three individuals, including the company’s CMD Karan A Chanana, Anita Daing, and Rajesh Arora.
The case, investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), stems from a 2020 CBI FIR based on a complaint by Canara Bank, which led a consortium defrauded to the tune of ₹1,201.85 crore.
Who Are the Accused?
- Karan A Chanana (CMD of Amira Pure Foods) left India in 2017
- Anita Daing departed in 2016
- Rajesh Arora, whose location status remains unconfirmed
According to the FRRO, two of the accused are not in India. The court has ordered execution of the warrants through lawful means, including international cooperation via MLAT (Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty) routes.
Court’s Remarks & Rejection of NBW Cancellation
Special CBI Judge Amitabh Rawat dismissed a plea for cancellation of NBW against Chanana and accepted the ED’s submission that the investigation was being obstructed by the accused’s non-compliance with summons under Section 50(2) and (3) of PMLA. The ED’s Special Public Prosecutors — Simon Benjamin, Manish Jain, and Snehal Shard — emphasized the accused were key decision-makers in the firm and their presence is vital to completing the probe.
The accused allegedly deliberately avoided appearing before the Investigating Officer (IO), despite multiple summons. Notably, summons dated November 8, 2024, were attempted to be served to Chanana at a known address in London via the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Chanana, however, claimed health issues prevented his physical appearance on February 14, 2025, as communicated through his representative.
Fraud Details:
- APFPL was granted loan facilities of approx ₹1,367 crore (2009–2016)
- Declared NPA on September 29, 2017
- Declared fraudulent by consortium banks for ₹1,201 crore
- ED investigation revealed ₹734.20 crore was siphoned off via sham business transactions using fictitious entities
Current Status:
While a Prosecution Complaint has already been filed against other accused, the probe against Chanana, Daing, and Arora remains ongoing. The issuance of open-ended NBWs, which carry no expiry, underscores the seriousness of the evasion and the authorities’ commitment to pursuing the accused globally.
This case adds to the list of high-profile economic offences that India is actively pursuing on international platforms, amid growing scrutiny on corporate fraud and banking irregularities.