US Justice Department Moves to Dismiss Gautam Adani Bribery Case

The United States Department of Justice has urged a New York federal court to permanently dismiss criminal charges against Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani and seven other defendants. In a detailed filing submitted July 4, 2026, the department characterized the original 2024 indictment—brought under the Biden administration—as a "name and shame" exercise that was legally flawed and diplomatically counterproductive.

The original charges alleged a $250 million bribery scheme to secure solar energy plant approvals in India, which purportedly misled US investors. The department now argues the case lacked a sound US jurisdictional basis because the conduct occurred primarily in India, and noted that Indian authorities found no actionable misconduct. Furthermore, prosecutors stated that sophisticated financial institutions suffered no actual losses, making the securities fraud charges inappropriate for criminal prosecution.

This reversal aligns with a June 2025 memorandum from the Deputy Attorney General, which redirected enforcement priorities toward national security and harm to US companies. Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General R. Trent McCotter explicitly rejected reports that the dismissal was a quid pro quo for potential US investments by the Adani Group.

US District Judge Nicholas Garaufis previously requested a detailed explanation for the dismissal. In a subsequent reply, the department argued that forcing prosecutors to disclose internal reasoning could undermine constitutional authority over prosecutorial decisions. Legal experts suggest the motion will likely be granted, as courts rarely compel the executive branch to pursue a case it has abandoned.