Adani under the scrutiny of U.S. Justice: Fraud allegations against Indian tycoon

In the dispute over alleged fraud, Indian billionaire Gautam Adani comes into the crosshairs of the US judiciary. The allegations made against him and senior employees of his Adani Group are gaining substance. According to legal experts, documents substantiate the accusations that Adani attempted to bribe Indian officials to secure business for Adani Green Energy and subsequently mislead American investors with deceptive statements about the company's anti-corruption practices. In addition to Gautam Adani, his nephew Sagar Adani and other executives of the conglomerate are accused of being involved in a conspiracy to manipulate securities. Individuals with connections to Azure Power Global are also suspected of being involved in the conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). However, Azure Power claimed to have cooperated with the investigations and distanced itself from the incriminated individuals. While Adani remains in India and has already been seen at public events, the Adani Group emphasizes the untenability of the charges and announces comprehensive legal action. In the affidavits related to the allegations, crucial evidence, such as the so-called "bribery notes" from Sagar Adani's phone, play a decisive role. These, along with alleged email evidence providing Gautam Adani with information about legal proceedings, could strengthen the credibility of the charges. Former federal prosecutors still see challenges in the evidence: Adani could argue that he was not directly involved in communication strategies with investors. Another issue arises from the need to obtain witness statements from India—a hurdle that requires cooperation with local authorities. Although the US judiciary has not officially requested Adani's extradition, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs emphasized that the matters are considered a private legal dispute between the companies and the US Department of Justice. The question of whether and when Adani might actually be held accountable remains open.