A US federal judge has dismissed criminal charges against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani. The US Department of Justice later abandoned its fraud-and-bribery prosecution of the businessman.
Brooklyn-based District Judge Nicholas Garaufis approved the federal prosecutors’ request to dismiss the case on Monday. It brings an end to a high-profile legal battle that had been pending since charges were announced in 2024.
Adani welcomed the decision. He said he respected the US judicial process and remained confident in the rule of law.
“I welcome the US court’s decision with humility and deep respect for the judicial process,” Adani said in a statement.
“Throughout this challenging period, our faith in truth, fairness and the rule of law remained unwavering.”
He thanked those who continued to have faith in him, the legal system and India’s capacity for justice.
“We will continue doing what matters: building for our nation, creating value that outlasts us and serving a purpose larger than ourselves,” he said.
“That is our commitment. Jai Hind.”
Adani was charged in November 2024 with allegedly agreeing to bribe Indian government officials to secure approvals for a solar energy project involving an Adani Group subsidiary.
US prosecutors also alleged that the group misled American investors by providing assurances about its anti-corruption practices.
Adani Group has consistently denied wrongdoing. Adani himself did not appear in a US court to respond to the criminal allegations.
The Justice Department announced in May that it would no longer pursue the prosecution. It cited factors including the predominantly foreign nature of the case. Also noted were difficulties in proving the allegations and the department’s current enforcement priorities.
However, Judge Garaufis initially sought further explanation before approving the dismissal, describing the Justice Department’s initial explanation as insufficiently detailed.
The judge also questioned whether Adani’s previous commitment to invest US$10 billion in the United States had any connection to the decision to drop the charges.
Adani told the court in a sworn declaration that he was not aware of any agreement. There was no exchange of investment or other benefit for the indictment’s dismissal.
He acknowledged that he had previously pledged to invest US$10 billion in the United States. He said his lawyers had told prosecutors that the investment commitment “might be part of a resolution of these matters”.
Adani’s lawyer, Robert Giuffra, separately told the court that the Justice Department had indicated that the Adani Group’s willingness to invest in the US would not be considered as part of any resolution of the criminal case.
In a July court filing, senior Justice Department official Trent McCotter also rejected suggestions that the decision to abandon the prosecution was linked to Adani’s investment plans.
The dismissal comes amid a broader shift in federal prosecutorial priorities under US President Donald Trump’s second administration, with prosecutors seeking to abandon several high-profile white-collar cases.
The decision formally ends the US criminal prosecution against Adani, although the dismissal does not constitute a judicial finding that the allegations were disproved on their merits.
Adani Group has maintained that the allegations were unfounded and has continued its business operations in India and international markets.
The billionaire said the conclusion of the case would not alter his broader commitment to investment, nation-building and economic development.
“We will continue doing what matters,” Adani said.
“building for our nation, creating value that outlasts us and serving a purpose larger than ourselves.”
Support our Journalism
No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.
