Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday called for the arrest of billionaire businessman Gautam Adani following his indictment in the United States over allegations of securities fraud and bribery. Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Gandhi, who is also the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, accused the Indian government of shielding Adani from legal consequences.
Gandhi Questions Government’s Silence on Adani’s Indictment
Gandhi questioned why Adani, who has been implicated in a major bribery case by US authorities, has not been arrested despite the severity of the charges. “When hundreds of people are arrested in our country on tiny charges, why is Gautam Adani not in jail?” Gandhi asked, addressing the media outside Parliament.
His comments came shortly after the Adani Group issued a statement denying any wrongdoing. The conglomerate clarified that neither Gautam Adani nor his nephew, Sagar Adani, were charged with violations of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) in connection with the bribery case. However, the duo has been indicted on charges related to securities fraud, with potential monetary penalties.
“He Should Be in Jail,” Gandhi Insists
Reacting to the Adani Group’s denial of charges, Gandhi remarked, “You think the Adanis are going to accept the charges? Which world are you living in? Obviously, he is going to deny the charges.” However, Gandhi remained firm in his stance, insisting that Adani should face legal consequences in India. “The point is he has to be arrested. As we have said, hundreds of people are being arrested on tiny charges, and this gentleman has been indicted in the United States for thousands of crores. He should be in jail,” the former Congress president asserted.
Gandhi further alleged that the government is providing undue protection to Adani. “The government is protecting him,” Gandhi claimed, adding that the powerful businessman appears to be above the law.
Adani Group’s Response
The Adani Group, in its response, rejected the bribery accusations, with senior lawyer Mukul Rohatgi, who represents the business empire, stating that there are no specific charges against Adani or his associates. Rohatgi clarified that the allegations related to bribery were very general in nature, with no details provided about who allegedly gave the bribes or who received them. According to the Adani Group, the charges are primarily related to securities fraud, which involves financial penalties.
Background to the US Indictment
The US Department of Justice filed an indictment against Gautam Adani and his nephew, Sagar Adani, in a court in the United States, accusing them of involvement in a scheme to bribe foreign officials and engage in fraudulent securities activities. The indictment is part of an ongoing investigation into the Adani Group’s business practices, which have come under scrutiny in both India and abroad in recent months.
Conclusion
Gandhi’s call for Adani’s arrest and his criticism of the government’s stance on the matter is likely to escalate the political discourse surrounding the business tycoon. As the situation develops, the Congress party has vowed to continue pressing for a thorough investigation into the Adani Group’s activities, both in India and internationally.
