Gautam Adani: US judge dismisses criminal fraud and bribery charges FAST-MOVING
A US federal judge has dismissed criminal charges against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, his nephew Sagar Adani, and former Adani Green CEO Vineet Jain. The dismissal, granted by US District Judge Nicholas Garaufis in Brooklyn, was made “with prejudice,” meaning the government cannot refile the charges.
The criminal case, which originated in late 2024, alleged a conspiracy to pay approximately $250 million in bribes to Indian government officials to secure solar energy contracts and to have misled US investors regarding anti-corruption practices. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) moved to abandon the prosecution, citing that the case was primarily foreign in nature, difficult to prove, and inconsistent with current agency priorities. The DOJ also noted that no investors suffered financial losses from the securities involved.
While dismissing the fraud charges, Judge Garaufis criticized the DOJ's handling of the decision, describing the process as “highly unusual” because it appeared to be made in collaboration with defense counsel without sufficient input from the FBI or SEC agents who investigated the matter. The judge also confirmed that Adani's $10 billion US investment pledge did not influence the decision to drop the charges.
Separately, the court finalized a civil settlement with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), under which the Adani Group will pay $18 million to resolve civil securities fraud matters. Gautam Adani welcomed the court's decision, stating his faith in the rule of law remained unwavering.
Entities
Adani Group · Gautam Adani · Nicholas Garaufis · Sagar Adani · U.S. Department of Justice · US Department of Justice · US Securities and Exchange Commission
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 12 SOURCES] The Adani Group has consistently denied all criminal allegations of bribery and fraud. www.businesstimes.com.sg · jack1065.com · www.timesnownews.com · www.news18.com · thefederal.com · +6 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] Judge Garaufis criticized the Justice Department's handling of the dismissal as highly unusual. www.timesnownews.com · www.deccanchronicle.com · thecsrjournal.in
- [● 8 SOURCES] The criminal charges against Gautam Adani and Sagar Adani were dismissed with prejudice. www.businesstimes.com.sg · www.news18.com · thefederal.com · bhaskarlive.in · www.siasat.com · +3 more
- [● 13 SOURCES] Prosecutors originally alleged Adani participated in a scheme to bribe Indian officials for solar energy contracts. www.businesstimes.com.sg · jack1065.com · www.timesnownews.com · www.news18.com · www.latestly.com · +6 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] The Justice Department stated the case was difficult to prove and inconsistent with current agency priorities. jack1065.com · www.timesnownews.com · www.t-online.de · www.freemalaysiatoday.com · thefederal.com · +3 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] The judge determined that Adani's $10 billion US investment pledge did not influence the decision to drop charges. jack1065.com · www.timesnownews.com · www.deccanchronicle.com · www.latestly.com · www.businesstimes.com.sg · +1 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] Gautam Adani welcomed the court's decision, stating his faith in the rule of law remained unwavering. www.businesstimes.com.sg · www.latestly.com · www.deccanchronicle.com · www.news18.com · thefederal.com · +3 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] The court did not immediately dismiss charges against five other co-defendants. www.businesstimes.com.sg · bhaskarlive.in · www.timesnownews.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Adani Group reached a settlement with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) involving an $18 million payment to the US government to resolve civil securities fraud matters. indias.news · www.bhaskarhindi.com · www.punjabkesari.com · www.socialnews.xyz
- [● 4 SOURCES] The US Department of Justice stated that no investors suffered financial losses from the securities involved in the case. indias.news · www.bhaskarhindi.com · www.punjabkesari.com · www.socialnews.xyz
- [● 9 SOURCES] A US court permanently dismissed all criminal charges of securities and wire fraud against Gautam Adani, Sagar Adani, and Vineet Jain. indias.news · www.bhaskarhindi.com · www.punjabkesari.com · thefederal.com · www.businesstimes.com.sg · +3 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] Gautam Adani welcomed the court's decision with respect for the judicial process and affirmed his commitment to national development. indias.news · www.bhaskarhindi.com · www.punjabkesari.com