US Judge Dismisses Fraud and Bribery Case Against Indian Billionaire Gautam Adani

NEW YORK — A U.S. federal judge on Monday formally dismissed the criminal fraud and bribery case against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, bringing a close to a high-profile legal battle that strained international corporate scrutiny.

Brooklyn-based U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis approved the Justice Department’s rare request to drop the indictment, though he voiced sharp reservations regarding the handling and transparency of the government's decision.

Questions Raised Over Dismissal Process

While granting the dismissal, Judge Garaufis subjected federal prosecutors to strict questioning to ensure that a previous pledge by Adani to invest $10 billion in the United States had no bearing on the dropped charges. The judge ultimately stated he was satisfied that the investment commitment did not influence the Justice Department's ultimate pivot.

However, the court heavily criticized the internal process leading up to the abandonment of the case. Judge Garaufis pointed out irregularities, noting that senior Justice Department officials had bypassed the career prosecutors and investigators who originally built the case, opting instead to negotiate directly with Adani's defense counsel.

"The irregularities in the decision to dismiss the indictment are concerning," Judge Garaufis wrote in his ruling, emphasizing that the court’s acceptance of the motion should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the government's reasoning.

Background of the Case

The indictment, originally unsealed in 2024, alleged that Adani and other executives agreed to pay millions in bribes to Indian government officials to secure lucrative solar energy contracts. Prosecutors had further claimed that the defendants misled American investors regarding the conglomerate's anti-corruption practices.

The Adani Group consistently denied all allegations of wrongdoing, and Adani himself never appeared in a U.S. court to face the charges.

In May, the Justice Department reversed course, stating in subsequent filings that the matter was primarily foreign in nature, difficult to substantiate, and misaligned with the agency's current enforcement priorities.

Defense and Response

Responding to the closure of the case, Gautam Adani released a statement on social media welcoming the decision.

 "I welcome the U.S. court's decision with humility and deep respect for the judicial process," Adani wrote. "Throughout this challenging period, our faith in truth, fairness and the rule of law remained unwavering."

Despite the dismissal of the criminal indictment, the Adani Group continues to resolve parallel regulatory matters, including civil settlements with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and separate compliance agreements.