The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has formally requested assistance from Indian authorities in serving legal documents to Gautam Adani, founder of the Adani Group, and his nephew, Sagar Adani. This action is part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of securities fraud and a $265 million bribery scheme involving their company, Adani Green Energy. The SEC’s request, made under the Hague Service Convention, seeks the cooperation of India’s Ministry of Law and Justice to facilitate the legal process, as both individuals are currently residing in India and are not under U.S. jurisdiction.
The allegations against the Adanis include bribing Indian officials to secure contracts for Adani Green Energy and subsequently misleading U.S. investors about the company’s anti-corruption measures. In response, the Adani Group has categorically denied these claims, labeling them as “baseless” and expressing intent to pursue all available legal remedies.
This development has ignited political discourse in India. Trinamool Congress (TMC) Member of Parliament Mahua Moitra, known for her outspoken criticism of both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Adani Group, took to social media to question the Prime Minister’s stance. She posted, “Now the rubber hits the road—US SEC wants Indian govt to serve complaint to Modiji’s BFF Adani. Will he oblige this very ‘personal mamla’ or no? Nation needs to know!”
Prime Minister Modi, during a recent visit to Washington, D.C., addressed the issue when questioned about whether the Adani matter was discussed with U.S. President Donald Trump. He stated, “Two prominent leaders of two countries never discuss such individual issues.” This response has been interpreted by some as an attempt to downplay the significance of the allegations.
