‘Legal matter between private firms and US Department of Justice’: India on Adani indictment row

US prosecutors charged Gautam Adani with involvement in plan to allegedly pay over $250 million in bribes to government officials in India for solar contracts.

Published on: Nov 29, 2024, 17:05:14 IST

By HT News Desk

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India on Friday said the Narendra Modi government was not informed by the United States in advance ahead of its order indicting industrialist Gautam Adani in an alleged bribery case.

“This is a legal matter involving private firms and individuals and the US Department of Justice. There are established procedures and legal avenues in such cases which we believe would be followed. The Government of India was not informed in advance of the issue,” ministry of external affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a weekly briefing.

“We haven't had any conversation also about this matter with the US government... Any request by a foreign government for the service of a summons/arrest warrant is part of mutual legal assistance. Such requests are examined on merits. We have not received any request on this case from the US side," Jaiswal said.

Billionaire Gautam Adani. (Reuters file)

US authorities indict Gautam Adani

The US prosecutors on November 21 charged Gautam Adani with involvement in a plan to allegedly pay more than $250 million in bribes to government officials in India for solar energy contracts.

The Adani Group called the allegations “baseless” and vowed to seek "all possible legal recourse".

ALSO READ: ‘Adanis aren’t named in bribery charges’: Senior lawyer Rohatgi

“The US Department of Justice's (US DOJ) indictment filed in a New York Court last week does not mention Gautam Adani, founder chairman of the ports-to-energy conglomerate, his nephew Sagar, or Vneet Jaain in any count related to conspiracy to violate the FCPA,” Adani Green Energy Ltd (AGEL), said in a stock exchange filing on Wednesday.

ALSO READ: Indian banks review Adani exposure in wake of US bribery allegations

The US indictment of Adani has triggered a political storm in India with the opposition parties led by Congress cornering the Narendra Modi government.

"You think the Adanis are going to accept the charges. Which world are you living in? Obviously, he is going to deny the charges," Rahul Gandhi said outside parliament.

"The point is he has to be arrested. As we have said, hundreds of people are being arrested on tiny charges and the gentleman has been indicted in the United States for thousands of crores. He should be in jail... The government is protecting him," he added.

(With agency inputs)

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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