The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has moved a special court in Delhi seeking to have Karan A. Chanana, chairman and managing director of Amira Pure Foods Private Limited, and its whole-time director Anita Daing declared fugitive economic offenders. Mr. Chanana is currently suspected to be in the United States, and Ms. Daing in the United Arab Emirates.

The agency on Friday (August 29, 2025) said the court had accepted its application to initiate proceedings for declaring them fugitive economic offenders and for confiscating assets worth ₹131 crore. Notices have also been issued under Section 10(4) of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act.

“Amira Foods Group was in the business of manufacturing and selling branded packaged food, especially Indian basmati rice, and had availed bank loans/cash credit loans to the tune of approximately ₹1,201.85 crore from a consortium of banks led by Canara Bank,” the agency said, adding that the loan account turned non-performing in 2017.

The ED initiated its probe based on a case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation, alleging bank loan fraud by the company through its directors, promoters, employees and others. It has also filed a prosecution complaint against 21 persons, companies and entities, and attached properties worth ₹131.51 crore, which has since been confirmed by the Adjudicating Authority under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.