Adani Group engages Trump admin to dismiss $265 million bribery case
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New Delhi: Representatives of Indian billionaire Gautam Adani have reportedly engaged in discussions with officials from the Donald Trump-led United States administration to seek the dismissal of criminal charges linked to a high-profile overseas bribery case, according to a Bloomberg report.
The talks began earlier this year and have gained momentum in recent weeks. Sources familiar with the matter indicated that, if negotiations continue at the current pace, the case may move toward resolution within a month. Adani’s team is said to have argued that the investigation does not reflect the current policy priorities of President Trump, and have urged US authorities to reconsider the charges.
Gautam Adani, head of the Adani Group conglomerate, and his nephew, Sagar Adani, were indicted on allegations of offering $265 million in bribes to Indian state officials in order to secure solar energy contracts. In addition to the criminal charges, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a parallel civil suit, accusing the Adanis of misleading US investors by failing to disclose the alleged bribery during a $750 million bond offering by Adani Green Energy Ltd, the group's renewable energy arm. The SEC considers this a case of securities fraud.
The complaint also named Cyril Cabanes, a former board member of Azure Power Global, alleging he played a role in orchestrating the bribery while holding roles in both domestic and international capacities.
The charges levelled against the Adani executives include securities fraud, wire fraud, obstruction of justice, and violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)—a US law that prohibits American companies and individuals from bribing foreign officials to gain business advantages. US regulators have sought stringent penalties, including permanent injunctions, substantial civil fines, and lifetime bans on both Gautam and Sagar Adani from serving as directors or officers of publicly listed companies.
The Adani Group has denied all allegations. In response to the legal challenge, the conglomerate has retained several legal and lobbying firms in the United States. According to Bloomberg, a significant meeting was held in March between Adani’s representatives, prosecutors from the US Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn, and officials from the Department of Justice.
Meanwhile, Adani Green Energy, in a statement issued in April, said that an internal review had found no evidence of any wrongdoing or non-compliance.
