The Adani Group is embroiled in a major bribery scandal, with U.S. prosecutors revealing a $265 million scheme aimed at securing power-supply contracts worth billions. The allegations point to Gautam Adani and his nephew, Sagar Adani, who allegedly used encrypted WhatsApp messages to track bribes paid to Indian officials. These “bribe notes” documented on mobile devices provide chilling details of the alleged operation.
Court filings reveal that in 2020, Sagar Adani acknowledged the difficulties in managing the optics of such a scheme. Despite attempts to hide the illicit activities, the case has now escalated, with charges of fraud and bribery filed against Sagar, Gautam, and six other individuals linked to the Adani Group.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has also initiated a civil case, but the Adani Group has dismissed the allegations as baseless and vowed to pursue all possible legal remedies.
With $2 billion in potential profits tied to these power deals, the international legal battle threatens to stain the global reputation of the Adani empire. The charges may have far-reaching consequences for the group’s operations, especially in light of the ongoing scrutiny in both India and abroad.
Stay tuned for further developments as this complex case unfolds.
