Business/ Gautam Adani and Nephew face US bribery and fraud charges

Gautam Adani, founder of the Adani Group, and his nephew Sagar Adani have been indicted in the United States on charges of bribery and securities fraud, marking a significant blow to the reputation of one of India’s largest conglomerates.

The SEC alleges the duo orchestrated a $265 million bribery scheme to secure solar energy contracts in India while misleading investors during a $750 million bond sale in 2021.

At the heart of the allegations is Adani Green Energy Ltd, which the SEC claims falsely promoted its adherence to anti-corruption policies to win over global investors.

Instead, Gautam and Sagar Adani allegedly facilitated bribes to state officials, with additional payments involving Azure Global Power Limited.

These actions reportedly paved the way for the development of a lucrative solar project.

The charges, filed under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, have led to arrest warrants and summonses for the accused, requiring a response within 21 days. Failure to comply could result in default judgments.

While the U.S. regulatory and legal systems act swiftly, India’s SEBI remains silent despite its IOSCO obligations, raising questions about its oversight.

Legal experts suggest that if proven guilty, the accused could face severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment.

This unfolding case not only challenges the Adani Group’s global ambitions but also underscores the broader risks of corporate governance lapses in an increasingly scrutinized business environment.