India has confirmed it hasn’t received any communication from the US on legal matters concerning Adani Group. The Ministry of External Affairs clarified that no summons or requests have been issued by the US Department of Justice regarding Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani or other executives.
Notably, this is a legal issue involving private individuals and entities, and no prior communication from the US was shared with the Indian government, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. He underlined that the matter had nothing to do with the government of India and neither was approached under mutual legal assistance protocols.
The Adani Group rejected bribery allegations, saying that media reports are “incorrect.” The firm clarified in a statement that Gautam Adani, Sagar Adani, and Vneet Jaain do not have any violation allegations of the US Foreign Corruption Practices Act (FCPA).
No communication from the US on the Adani Group, reveals the credible sources
It said that the indictment made by the DOJ against Adani does not include any direct naming of executives regarding the charges listed to rebuff claims of corruption and obstruction. In a statement, the spokesperson said,
“Mr Gautam Adani, Mr Sagar Adani and Mr Vneet Jaain have not been charged with any violation of the FCPA in the counts set forth in the indictment of the US DOJ or civil complaint of the US SEC,”
In a stock exchange filing, Adani Green, one of the conglomerate’s subsidiaries, restated the group’s position. They say that the allegations were based on a “flawed understanding” of US legal documents. The group accused Indian and international media of reckless reporting that has caused significant damage to its reputation and operations.
Note that the DOJ indictment includes the discussion about bribe discussions. Moreover, Adani Group pointed out that it found no evidence suggesting the handing over of bribes to Indian government officials. Notably, as per senior lawyer Mukul Rohatgi, no specificity on alleged beneficiaries was added to the charge sheet.
Also, Adani Group further criticized the fallout from these allegations. They have disrupted its global projects and strained relations with investors. The group maintained that it has acted within legal frameworks and called for responsible reporting. As per the statement,
“The ill-founded US action and reckless false reporting have led to significant repercussions for the Indian conglomerate, such as international project cancellations, financial market impact, and sudden examination from strategic partners, investors, and the public,”
Also, see: Indian banks review Adani Group exposures after bribery allegations