The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into bribery allegations against billionaire Gautam Adani, recently unveiled by US prosecutors.
The Narendra Modi-led government, the CPI(M) asserted, “cannot hide behind smokescreen anymore”.
According to the US Department of Justice, Adani allegedly participated in a scheme involving bribes exceeding USD 250 million (approximately ₹2,100 crore) to Indian officials to secure favourable terms for solar power contracts.
These allegations, which involve concealing information from American banks and investors, have sparked demands for accountability back home.
The CPI(M) noted the indictment, filed in a US court, details alleged bribes made by Adani and his nephew, Sagar Adani, to Indian government officials at both central and state levels.
“It is shameful that such large-scale bribery and suborning of government officials by the Adanis had to be exposed not in India but in the United States through their criminal justice system,” the CPI(M) said in a statement.
The party urged the CBI to register a case based on the evidence presented by US prosecutors.
“Bribery of public servants comes under the Prevention of Corruption Act, which is under the remit of the CBI,” it added.
CPI(M) demands accountability
The CPI(M) claimed ₹2,029 crore was promised or offered to officials for facilitating power sale agreements with state electricity boards.
It also alleged that evidence gathered from Sagar Adani provides detailed accounts of these bribes.
Further, the party criticised the Modi government for shielding Adani from scrutiny.
“Gautam Adani and his business empire have had the full protection of the Modi government to execute his unlawful and criminal activities. Prime Minister Modi himself had shielded Adani from any enquiry or prosecution on the charges emanating from the Hindenburg exposé,” the statement read.
Calling for an independent investigation to expose “all other wrongdoings by the Adani group of companies”, the CPI(M) described the allegations as a blow to India’s integrity.
Adani Group denies allegations
Reacting to the charges, the Adani Group dismissed them as baseless.
“The allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against directors of Adani Green are baseless and denied,” a company spokesperson stated.
The spokesperson further highlighted the US Justice Department’s clarification that the charges are allegations and do not constitute guilt until proven in court.
“The Adani Group has always upheld and is steadfastly committed to maintaining the highest standards of governance, transparency and regulatory compliance across all jurisdictions of its operations,” the spokesperson said, assuring stakeholders of adherence to legal frameworks.
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