Former Attorney General and Senior Counsel Mukul Rohatgi has launched a scathing critique of the US court indictment alleging bribery against the Adani Group, describing it as remarkably deficient in specifics and essentially “completely silent” on crucial details. His comments follow a recent filing by Adani Green Energy Ltd. (AGEL) with stock exchanges, categorically stating that Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani, his nephew Sagar Adani, and senior executive Vneet Jaain have been cleared of bribery charges by the US Department of Justice (DoJ).
Addressing a press conference, Rohatgi emphasized that his opinions are strictly personal and stem from his extensive legal expertise. He clarified, “I want to make it clear these are my personal legal opinions. I am not a spokesperson for the Adani Group. However, as a lawyer who has represented the Adani Group in various cases, I have thoroughly reviewed this 54-page indictment.”
Rohatgi meticulously dissected the five counts outlined in the indictment. He drew particular attention to Count 1 and Count 5, highlighting the notable absence of Gautam Adani, Sagar Adani, and Vneet Jaain in these crucial charges.
Regarding Count 1, which details a conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)—similar to India’s Prevention of Corruption Act—Rohatgi explained, “Count 1, starting from paragraph 124, targets certain individuals *excluding* the two Adanis. It includes some of their officers and a foreign national. The Adanis are not named, although some of their officers are.”
He further elaborated on the remaining counts, stating, “There are two or three other counts concerning securities and bonds where the Adanis and others are named. Critically, in Count 5, which addresses obstruction of justice, the Adanis and their officers are not mentioned. Only certain other individuals, including a foreign party, are named; their connection to the Adanis remains unclear.”
Rohatgi’s central criticism revolves around the indictment’s lack of concrete evidence. He stated, “A proper charge sheet must be specific, clearly outlining who performed what action. This indictment alleges bribery of Indian officials concerning power supply and purchase. Yet, it fails to name a single bribed official, detailing the method, amount, or the official’s department. The charge sheet is profoundly lacking in detail.”
Expressing considerable doubt about how such vague allegations can be effectively addressed, Rohatgi added, “I am uncertain how one can adequately respond to such a deficient charge sheet. I’m confident the Adanis will seek counsel from American lawyers to navigate this situation.”
In a separate interview with IANS, Rohatgi reiterated his point: “While the Adanis are mentioned in three counts, they are conspicuously absent in two crucial counts. The vagueness of the charge sheet is striking, lacking detail on who was bribed, how, why, and where.”
Adani Green Energy Ltd.’s filing to the stock exchanges directly challenges the media’s portrayal of the situation. The statement explicitly refutes claims that Gautam Adani, Sagar Adani, and Vneet Jaain were charged with FCPA violations, stating that the media reports are “incorrect.” The statement emphasized that none of the three individuals are named in Count One (Conspiracy to Violate the FCPA) or Count Five (Conspiracy to Obstruct Justice) of the DoJ indictment.
This development significantly impacts the ongoing legal battle surrounding the Adani Group, raising questions about the strength and validity of the US indictment. The lack of specifics highlighted by Rohatgi is expected to be a central point of contention in future legal proceedings.
