Adani Controversy: AAP’s Saurabh Bharadwaj Questions Government’s Response to US Summons

The Delhi state president of the Aam Aadmi Party, Saurabh Bharadwaj, has directed further criticism towards Gautam Adani and Sagar Adani, his nephew. Bharadwaj remarked on the extensive media coverage surrounding them. He pointed out that the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission initiated a lawsuit in November 2024. Bharadwaj noted that it is astonishing that, despite the passage of about six months, the US summons has not reached Adani. Bharadwaj alleged that the central issue is related to the payment of 22 billion rupees in bribes to Indian government officials. He stated that the Adani Group aimed to gather approximately $750 million, for investment in power projects, with the goal of generating $2 billion in profit over the next 20 years. Bharadwaj also mentioned that if a foreign company uses the money of American taxpayers for its business activities, it comes under the purview of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The summons indicated that Adani planned to bribe some Indian government officials with $256 million, approximately 22 billion rupees, as part of the scandal. Bharadwaj stated that the US has taken action against this alleged corruption. Since the projects also involved American investors’ money, the US District Court issued a summons to Adani under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, requiring a response within 21 days. Bharadwaj then questioned the Indian government’s lack of response in this whole affair.