Adani bribery case: US court orders joint criminal, civil trial against tycoon

In a major development, a New York court has ordered to club the three ongoing cases against industrialist Gautam Adani and others on charges of USD 265 million bribery.

The court ruled that the cases will be heard together in a joint trial. The ruling came as the court noted that the cases stem from similar allegations and transactions.

The cases that have been tagged together include US vs Adani and others (the criminal case against Adani), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) vs Adani and others (civil case against Adani), and SEC vs Cabanes (civil case against the other accused).

The court said the decision had been taken to promote judicial efficiency and avoid conflicting schedules. It will assign all the cases to District Judge Nicholas G Garaufis, who is also overseeing the criminal case against Adani. The court staff have been instructed to carry out the reassignment of the cases.

Adani and others are charged with paying USD 265 million (around Rs 2,029 crore) in bribes to get solar energy contracts with state electricity distribution companies.

Earlier, US prosecutors had alleged that the fact was kept hidden from the US banks and the investors from whom the Adani Group raised funds for the solar energy projects.

The Adani Group has refuted the allegations as “baseless” and said, “We are a law-abiding organisation, fully compliant with all laws.” A company’s spokesperson said the indictment is based on the charges, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.