US Judge Dismisses Criminal Charges Against Gautam Adani

A US judge has thrown out criminal charges against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani after the Justice Department opted to discontinue the fraud and bribery case. The ruling by Brooklyn-based US District Judge Nicholas Garaufis followed a rare request from federal prosecutors to dismiss the case, during which he sought clarification on their motivations, including any potential promises made. In 2024, Adani faced allegations of conspiring to bribe Indian officials for approval of a solar energy facility linked to his Adani Group, alongside misleading US investors regarding anti-corruption measures. Adani Group has continually denied any misconduct, and Adani has not appeared in US court. On May 18, the Justice Department decided to cease pursuing the case, reflecting a trend of federal prosecutors dropping notable white-collar cases during President Donald Trump's second term. Legal experts indicate that judges have limited power to force prosecutors to proceed with cases they choose to abandon, although judicial approval is necessary for formal dismissal. Prior to the unsealing of charges in November 2024, Adani had committed to investing US$10 billion in the United States.