Adani asks U.S. judge to dismiss criminal bribery charges

Lawyers for Gautam Adani asked U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis in Brooklyn to formally dismiss criminal bribery charges after the Justice Department declined to pursue the case. The filing argues the alleged conduct falls beyond the reach of U.S. law and that prosecutors would not be able to prove bribery in India. Garaufis still must approve any dismissal.

The criminal case, filed in the Eastern District of New York on October 24, 2024 and publicly announced on November 20, 2024, accused Gautam Adani, his nephew Sagar Adani and other executives of agreeing to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in bribes to Indian officials so a subsidiary could win approval to develop a solar plant. Prosecutors also alleged the group misled U.S. investors with assurances about anti-corruption practices. The Securities and Exchange Commission separately linked the alleged scheme to a September 2021 Adani Green note offering that raised $750 million, including about $175 million from U.S. investors.

The civil case has already moved toward settlement. Under the SEC resolution, Gautam Adani would pay $6 million and Sagar Adani would pay $12 million if the court enters final judgments.

On May 18, 2026, Adani Enterprises Limited agreed to pay $275 million to settle potential civil liability for 32 apparent violations of Iran sanctions in a Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control case. The conduct ran from November 2023 to June 2025 and involved liquefied petroleum gas shipments bought from a Dubai-based trader that were presented as Omani and Iraqi cargo but originated from Iran.

The Justice Department’s retreat has already drawn political scrutiny in Washington. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Richard Blumenthal asked Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche for an explanation and opened an inquiry into the decision, saying it raised concerns about accountability and possible quid pro quo.