Mumbai, Feb 8: Anil Ambani, the brother of Asia’s richest man has pleaded poverty in his dispute with three Chinese banks seeking $680 million in defaulted loans.
“The value of my investments has collapsed,” Anil Ambani said, according to a court filing by the banks in a London lawsuit.
“The current value of my shareholdings is down to approximately $82.4m and my net worth is zero after taking into account my liabilities. In summary, I do not hold any meaningful assets which can be liquidated for the purposes of these proceedings.”
The lawsuit was filed by three state-controlled Chinese banks which argue that they provided a loan of $925 million to Ambani’s Reliance Communications Ltd. in 2012 with the condition that he personally guarantee the debt. The comments were disclosed on Friday as Ambani sought to avoid depositing hundreds of millions of dollars with the court ahead of a trial.
The embattled Indian tycoon says that while he agreed to give a non-binding “personal comfort letter,” he never gave a guarantee tied to his personal assets -- an “extraordinary potential personal liability.”
The 60-year-old is the brother of Mukesh Ambani, who’s worth $56.5 billion and is the wealthiest man in Asia. Anil, on the other hand, has seen his personal fortune dwindle over recent years, losing his billionaire status. His Reliance Communications filed for bankruptcy last year.
The banks asked Judge David Waksman to force Ambani to put up $656 million into the court’s account.
Representatives for Ambani’s Reliance Group said they couldn’t immediately comment. They said the group will issue a statement once the court issues the final order.
Ambani’s lawyer, Robert Howe, said the court shouldn’t order his client to make a payment he can’t make. The tycoon argues that an order requiring him to do so would hinder his ability to defend himself in the case, Howe said.
“There’s no evidence of some giant pot of gold that he can pull $1 million, let alone $10 million, let alone $100 million,” Howe said.
Bankim Thanki, an attorney representing Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd., China Development Bank and the Export-Import Bank of China, said in a filing that Ambani’s statements are “plainly a yet further opportunistic attempt to evade his financial obligations to the lenders.”
Ambani was caught up in another legal wrangle last year when India’s Supreme Court threatened him with prison after Reliance Communications failed to pay Rs 5.5 billion ($77 million) to Ericsson AB’s Indian unit. The judges gave him a month to find the funds, and his brother, Mukesh, stepped in just in time to make the payment.
Anil said in a filing that he recognized that the judge would want to know if he could satisfy any order to put up funds from outside resources, including his family.
“I can confirm that I have made enquiries but I am unable to raise any finance from external sources,” he said. Judge Waksman had said in an earlier ruling that he believed Ambani’s defence would be shown to be “opportunistic and false.”
Ambani’s lawyer told the judge that as a result of the comments the tycoon’s relatives were unlikely to lend any funds.
There is a “very substantial risk they will never get it back,” Howe said.
Comments
India need back to ballet revolution or face new constitution in future. EVM votes for modi on all states.
Cong. Govt was very good and fulfilled all the promises, good in administration and Overall development and one of the top most Govt in India, and list goes. but still BJP win the election in spite of corrupt leaders, hate mongers and looters. How it is possible?
What is the Reason? Unknown? Think of it. there is no Anti Cong. Ale, in karnataka
There is no any major complaint against rulers during periods. one of the best performed govt.
It is very difficult to think that people of karnataka is not ignorant and hate mongers
If we analyse the Reasons may be
1) People may not concern about Janakeeya govt and development work
2)EVM magic may be?
it is not possible to prove EVM tampering because it is highly technical and Election commission and all its engineers may be fully controlled by Sangh Parivar. so there is no value for complaint.
To whom we complaint?
It could be hidden agenda to rule India and its state through EVM. even supreme court and justice is loosing its value. Democracy is almost in end stage
There is a lesson to think. Analyse....
Think......think.......think...... think
Find out the reason......
No doubt it is EVM tampering...
EVM bluetooth hack played major role in Karnataka election... no people in the world will vote for corrupt party man..this is kill of democracy & raise of evil in india ...this will only end if indian involve in war or people revelotion against government...now more midclass people will soon become poor..no job..no development..no peace...no justice...most important save your daughter from evil people of BJP...
Anti Hindu Government Kicked out. This is what happens if you seek votes only from minority.
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