The Indian government has officially declared that it has not received any formal request from US authorities regarding the recent arrest warrant issued against industrialist Gautam Adani over alleged bribery charges.
MEA reacts to US Bribery charges against Adani
During a press briefing on Friday, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized the government’s non-involvement in the legal proceedings. “This is a legal matter involving private firms and individuals and the US Department of Justice,” Jaiswal stated, underscoring that established legal procedures would govern any potential actions.
The US Department of Justice’s indictment against Adani includes serious allegations of bribery in solar energy contracts and fraudulent financial disclosures that potentially misled American investors. For any legal action to be executed within India, US authorities must first notify the Ministry of Home Affairs, which can then direct relevant federal agencies.
Under the India-US extradition treaty, the US authorities seeking to prosecute Adani must provide comprehensive evidence demonstrating violations of US law and establish clear jurisdictional grounds. Jaiswal explicitly confirmed that the government was not pre-informed about the matter and had not engaged in discussions with US counterparts.
“Any request by a foreign government for the service of a summons or arrest warrant is part of mutual legal assistance. Such requests are examined on merits. We have not received any request in this case from the US side,” the MEA spokesperson explained.
Adani Group calls US Bribery Charges ‘baseless’
The Adani Group has categorically rejected the charges as “baseless” and pledged to address the legal challenge through appropriate channels.
This development highlights the complex intersection of international legal proceedings, corporate governance, and diplomatic protocols between India and the United States. The government’s measured response underscores a commitment to due process and judicial independence.
As the situation unfolds, stakeholders await further developments in this high-profile legal case involving one of India’s most prominent business conglomerates.
