New Delhi: The battle between the Ambani brothers intensified today (Dec 8, 2004) with Anil questioning his elder brother Mukesh on his assertion that ownership issues were settled in the lifetime of their father Dhirubhai.

Mukesh Ambani had said in a statement late last month, "Dhirubhai (the founder chairman of Reliance) took within his lifetime all steps to separate ownership from management and make Reliance a world-class professionally managed company."

Seeking clarification through five questions, Anil asked Mukesh to explain as to why his powers as Managing Director were sought to be substantially curtailed only now, in July 2004, and not much earlier, either during Dhirubhai's lifetime or even two years ago, when Dhirubhai passed away?

"If management issues had been resolved in Dhirubhai's lifetime, how is that I have no details or information about the same even till today?" Anil asked, according to sources.

No comments were available immediately from Mukesh Ambani's office in Mumbai.

Anil further asked his brother how is that no disclosures had been made to RIL's board or its 36 lakh individual and institutional shareholders.

Mukesh Ambani had said on November 22 that all "ownership issues" were "settled" during the lifetime of late Dhirubhai Ambani.