In clarification to the recent US Department of Justice indictment, senior lawyer and former Attorney General of India, Mukul Rohatgi has clarified allegations involving the Adani Group. While addressing media persons, he underlined that neither Gautam Adani, founder-chairman of the group, nor his nephew, Sagar Adani, has been charged with bribery or obstruction of justice.
The indictment details five counts of charges. The Adanis do not appear in key allegations of the indictment, explained Rohatgi. “Count 1, which pertains to conspiracy to violate the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, does not include the Adanis. Similarly, Count 5, related to obstruction of justice, also excludes them,” he noted. Charges mainly target other individuals such as certain officers and a foreign national.
Highlighting issues with the chargesheet, Mukul Rohatgi remarked on its lack of specifics. “A chargesheet should clearly identify who was bribed, the manner in which the bribe was given, and the department involved. This document does none of that,” he said. He added that this vagueness would make it challenging for the accused to respond effectively.
Mukul Rohatgi also expressed confidence that the Adani Group would consult with legal experts in the US to address the charges. “The Adanis and their team will respond to this chargesheet in the appropriate manner, including making submissions to stock exchanges and relevant authorities,” he said.
In a conversation with NDTV, Mukul Rohatgi reiterated his concerns, stating, “There is no mention of the amount of bribe, who received it, or for which contract it was allegedly given. Without these details, the allegations lack weight and specificity.”
The Adani Group, a multinational conglomerate, has faced scrutiny in various quarters, but this latest indictment seems to leave critical questions unanswered. Rohatgi’s remarks underline the need for clarity in legal proceedings to ensure a fair defense.
