The Adani Group has categorically denied allegations of bribery involving its chairman Gautam Adani, his nephew Sagar Adani, and senior executive Vneet Jaain, citing clarity from the United States Department of Justice (DoJ). In a statement issued today, the conglomerate dismissed media reports suggesting their involvement in violations of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), labeling such claims as “incorrect and reckless.” The group reiterated that neither Gautam Adani nor the other two executives have been charged under the DoJ’s indictment or the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) civil complaint.
The group highlighted that the DoJ’s indictment includes five counts, among which the first and fifth counts—conspiracy to violate the FCPA and conspiracy to obstruct justice—do not implicate the named Adani executives. The statement emphasized that reports suggesting otherwise stem from a “flawed understanding” of the US indictment, leading to widespread misinformation in both Indian and international media.
The Adani Group further clarified that the allegations rely solely on claims of bribes being discussed or promised, with no evidence provided to substantiate that Indian government officials received bribes from Adani executives. Prominent senior lawyer Mukul Rohatgi, speaking at a press conference, supported the group’s position, stating that the chargesheet lacks specific details about any individuals being bribed.
The fallout from these allegations has been significant for the Adani Group. Since the DoJ’s indictment was made public, the conglomerate has reportedly suffered a staggering loss of $55 billion in market capitalization across its 11 listed companies. The Adani Group also noted that the allegations and subsequent reporting have led to adverse repercussions, including international project cancellations, heightened scrutiny from investors and strategic partners, and a general erosion of market confidence.
Adani Green Energy Ltd. (AGEL), a group company, filed a statement with the stock exchanges dismissing media reports of bribery charges against its directors as “incorrect.” The statement emphasized that neither Gautam Adani, Sagar Adani, nor Vneet Jaain have been implicated in the DoJ indictment or SEC civil complaint. The group described the media coverage as reckless and criticized its role in exacerbating the financial and reputational damage faced by the conglomerate.
The Adani Group maintains its stance that it has been wrongfully targeted, vowing to defend its integrity and reputation amidst the ongoing scrutiny.
