New Delhi: Rajya Sabha MP and Senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani has criticized the Congress party for making “baseless statements” against Indian industrialists and the Indian government, following an indictment related to the Adani Group. His comments came after the US Department of Justice (DoJ) cleared Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani, his nephew Sagar Adani, and senior executive Vneet Jaain of bribery charges, as confirmed by Adani Green Energy Ltd. (AGEL) in a recent stock exchange filing.
During a press conference, Jethmalani described the indictment as a “conspiracy to halt India’s growth story,” asserting that it lacks credible evidence. He remarked, “Despite originating from a US court, the indictment’s sketchy evidence and significant circumstances suggest it is a hatchet job.”
Jethmalani accused elements within the “Democratic deep state apparatus” in the US of exhibiting hostility toward the Indian government, claiming that this faction has become increasingly antagonistic since 2023.
He further explained that the indictment does not allege any offenses against the Adani family or Adani Green. “There is no evidence presented in this indictment, nor has the Congress party provided proof of any violations of Indian law. The indictment does not mention bribery within India,” he stated. He emphasized that while the indictment discusses a conspiracy to bribe, it does not indicate any breach of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in India.
Jethmalani criticized Congress for undermining Indian businesses, asserting, “By relying blindly on this indictment against a conglomerate that contributes positively to India’s economy, the Congress party is attempting to sabotage the Indian growth narrative.”
Speaking to IANS, he dismissed the charges as “baseless and meaningless,” noting that the allegations pertain to bonds issued by the Adani Group in the US, and that Adani Greens has not been named or indicted.
In a direct challenge to the opposition, Jethmalani urged them to provide evidence before making demands based on the indictment. “Do not base your demands on an indictment without proof,” he advised.
In its filing, AGEL refuted media reports claiming that Gautam Adani, Sagar Adani, and Vneet Jaain were charged with violations of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), stating, “Such statements are incorrect.” The DoJ indictment includes five counts but does not name the three individuals in the counts related to conspiracy to violate the FCPA or conspiracy to obstruct justice.