Indian industrialist Gautam Adani has asked a U.S. federal court to formally close the criminal case that accused him of participating in a bribery scheme tied to a major solar energy project in India, following a decision by American prosecutors to abandon the prosecution.
In a submission before a federal court in Brooklyn, Adani’s legal team argued that the case should be dismissed outright, pointing to the U.S. Department of Justice’s decision last month to discontinue its pursuit of the charges. However, the matter cannot be considered fully resolved until the presiding judge approves the request and officially dismisses the indictment.
The allegations, first brought in 2024, claimed that Adani was involved in efforts to secure approvals for a solar power project through improper payments to Indian officials. Prosecutors had also alleged that investors in the United States received misleading assurances regarding anti-corruption safeguards within the business group.
Adani and the Adani Group have repeatedly rejected the accusations and maintained that no wrongdoing occurred.
According to the filing, Adani’s lawyer contended that the prosecution stretched beyond the legitimate reach of U.S. law and that authorities would face significant challenges in proving allegations linked to conduct that allegedly occurred in India. The defense further noted that discussions with government officials had taken place over several months before the Justice Department decided to step back from the case.
The court filing also addressed a parallel civil action brought by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Adani’s lawyers urged the judge to formally conclude that matter as well, citing a settlement under which Gautam Adani agreed to pay $6 million, while his nephew, Sagar Adani, agreed to pay $12 million.
Separately, Adani Enterprises has agreed to pay $275 million to the U.S. Treasury Department to resolve allegations concerning violations of sanctions related to Iran.
The judge’s decision on whether to dismiss the criminal case will determine the final legal status of a prosecution that had drawn significant international attention and cast a spotlight on the global operations of the Adani business empire.
