Gujarat Congress President and Rajya Sabha MP Shaktisinh Gohil has demanded an immediate investigation into allegations against the Adani Group following charges brought in by United States authorities. “Adani should be arrested but we all know that Modiji would not do that since the trail would lead the inquiry to him also at a personal level”, he alleged.
Addressing a press conference, Gohil said, “Adani and Company had tarnished India’s reputation. “Trade and commerce are fine but these allegations of wrongdoings need detailed scrutiny”, reminding how in the past also Adani has been notorious in bagging contracts from the BJP ruling government in Gujarat and selling power at a much higher tariff than others. He also recalled how Adani had usurped forest land in Gujarat.
Focusing on the Bribery case, Gohil said now that the White House has accepted the indictment charges, the Indian government led by Adani’s close confidant and friend Narendra Modi should investigate Gautam Adani, his nephew Sagar Rajesh Adani and former Adani Green Energy CEO Vineet Jain who allegedly orchestrated the scheme to pay over $250 million in bribes to Indian government officials to secure solar energy contracts between 2020 and 2024. These contracts were said to have been designed to generate profits exceeding $2 billion.
Gohil who has consistently been critical of unethical business practises of Adani and patronage to him by then Chief Minister and now Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said this is the BJP’s chance of undoing a wrong. The BJP has been favouring corporate interests at the cost of the welfare of medium-sized industries, farmers and the commoners of the country.
He emphasised the need for transparency and accountability in governance, stating, “Congress worked for this. In 1992-93, Gujarat gained most investments and businesses under Congress, but the Congress ensured that monopolies were not created and crony capitalists were put behind bars. We are not against wealth creation but crony capitalism. Also, farmers in Gujarat have lost their precious land but the Government does not do anything about it and on the other hand gladly gives away land reserved for cow grazing (gauchar) and forest land to the likes of Adanis.”
Alleging a deeper flaw in BJP’s way of governance, Gohil told Vibes of India that, “BJP adopted a different ideology. BJP made Adani from zero to hero. Every Gujarati knows the Modi-Adani connection. Their unholy alliance has resulted in loss for Gujarat, claiming ‘Modi-Adani bhai bhai’(Modi-Adani are thick like Brothers).”
There’s no transparency and investigation under the BJP. In the US, the SEC took cognisance and cared about the people’s money. The Modi-Adani nexus earlier hurt Gujarat and now the entire country, Gohil alleged.
The FBI conducted an inquiry into this and the conclusion of the investigation was submitted to the Department of Justice. The American government has pressed these charges because some Americans have invested in Adani scripts but India, which houses majority of his investors, does not care about the welfare of those who put their hard-earned money into his stocks.
“Gautam Adani sold electricity and power to the government at an inflated price. There is no inquiry in our country.”
Slams PM Modi
Taking a jibe at PM Modi, Gohil alleged that the government was selectively enforcing accountability. “Modi says, ‘Na khaunga, na khaane dunga,’ but is absolutely contradictory. Common people are getting behind bars in small cases, but Adani is roaming free. I have nothing personal against Adani. But I have a problem when someone is arrested for corruption of a few thousands but Adani is left scot-free for cheating the State and country of millions of dollars.
“I demand that the Indian government should arrest Adani immediately. A Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) and agencies like the ED and CBI should investigate. An immediate inquiry is needed. We are going to raise this. JPC and CBI should conduct the investigation under a sitting Supreme Court judge,” Gohil said.
On being asked if Congress would file a formal complaint and pursue this matter legally in India, Gohil told Vibes of India, “This is exactly what the government should do. We are being a constructive opposition, he said, adding that the government should take punitive measures against Adani and others involved in the bribery case.”
Adani Group Denies Charges
The Adani Group has denied all allegations made by the United States Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) against its executives, including chairman Gautam Adani.
In a statement, the group described the allegations as “baseless” and reiterated its commitment to compliance with the law. “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,” said a spokesperson.
The statement further emphasised that “the charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”
The Adani Group assured stakeholders of its commitment to governance and compliance, stating, “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. We assure our stakeholders, partners, and employees that we are a law-abiding organisation, fully compliant with all laws.”
Meanwhile, the White House has confirmed its awareness of the bribery allegations surrounding billionaire Gautam Adani, chairman of Adani Group. Gautam Adani, along with several other individuals, including nephew Sagar Adani, has been indicted in New York for allegedly orchestrating a large-scale bribery and fraud scheme.
The Adani Group has dismissed as “baseless” the US charges that its billionaire founder, Gautam Adani, paid over $250 million in bribes. In a statement, the conglomerate rejected the allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission against Adani Green’s directors, asserting that it would seek all possible legal recourse.
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