Bribery Allegations Against Gautam Adani in the U.S.: What Congress leader Ramesh and Opposition Said?

Following recent bribery allegations in the United States against prominent Indian businessman Gautam Adani, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh and other political figures have voiced their concerns on social media, reigniting discussions on the Adani Group's practices and its connections with the Indian government.

Cong's Stance: Renewed Calls for a JPC Investigation

Jairam Ramesh, a senior Congress leader, took to social media to reaffirm the Congress party's long-standing suspicions surrounding Adani’s business dealings. According to Ramesh, the Congress has been highlighting these alleged irregularities since early 2023, consistently demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to investigate the Adani Group. This latest accusation, Ramesh emphasized, further supports Congress's call for transparency and oversight over matters involving Adani’s business interests and their connection to high-level government decisions.

U.S. Charges: Accusations of Bribery

The case escalated on Wednesday when the New York Attorney General filed a fraud charge against Gautam Adani. The accusations allege that Adani orchestrated a $250 million bribe to secure a U.S.-based contract for one of his companies, concealing the illegal payment from authorities. U.S. prosecutors claim that Adani, alongside senior officials within his company, colluded to pay Indian officials in exchange for securing a lucrative contract for a renewable energy venture. This payment, according to the charges, was intended to manipulate market conditions, ensuring that Adani's company would benefit from higher electricity prices.

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra's Reaction

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra also weighed in on the matter, bringing attention to the scale of the alleged bribery. Posting on social media platform X, Moitra commented on the charges, stating, “U.S. prosecutors have accused Gautam Adani of a bribe amounting to Rs 2,200 crore.” She suggested that this payment enabled Adani Renewable Energy to sell electricity at rates above the market price, pointing to what she described as preferential treatment benefitting the Adani Group.

US operates under stricter enforcement standards: Prashant Bhushan

Well-known lawyer and activist Prashant Bhushan joined the conversation, noting that Adani’s alleged actions might have faced less scrutiny had they occurred solely within India. Bhushan commented on social media that unlike in India, where Adani might evade investigation by agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the United States operates under stricter enforcement standards, making it more challenging to circumvent the law. He pointedly stated, “Adani forgot that America is not ruled by Modi where he can easily escape from ED, SEBI, and CBI.”

Implications and the Growing Demand for Accountability

These allegations in the United States have rekindled calls in India for a thorough, impartial investigation into Adani’s business practices, with opposition leaders urging the government to allow a JPC to investigate the issue.