US Court Demands Gautam Adani Explain DOJ Bribery Case Dismissal

A U.S. District Court in New York ordered Indian billionaire Gautam Adani to file an affidavit by July 15, answering whether any promise, offer, or agreement was made in connection with the U.S. Department of Justice’s request to dismiss a criminal indictment alleging bribes of about $265 million to Indian state officials. Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis highlighted that the DOJ’s June 24 letter did not disclose any such quid‑pro quo, raising the possibility of an undisclosed arrangement.

The indictment alleged that Adani and associates offered bribes to secure a 7‑gigawatt solar power purchase in Andhra Pradesh. The DOJ later moved to drop the charges, describing the case as a “name‑and‑shame” indictment with little prospect of trial. The court’s order seeks clarification of the DOJ’s rationale and any potential exchange that may have influenced the dismissal request.