CPI(M) Demands CBI Probe Against Adani Amid US Bribery Charges

New Delhi: Demanding an immediate CBI probe into the bribery charges against Gautam Adani made by the US prosecutors, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in its statement released on Thursday said that the Narendra Modi government “cannot hide behind smokescreen anymore.”

The charges presented by US prosecutors allege that Adani was involved in a massive $250 million bribery scheme targeting Indian government officials to gain favorable solar power contract terms.

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This was then concealed from the US banks and investors from whom the Adani Group raised billions of dollars for the project, the prosecutors have alleged. Although the Adani Group had denied these accusations, stating that legal proceedings are yet to establish guilt.

CPI(M) in its statement said it is shameful that such large-scale bribery of government officials had to be exposed not in India but in the United States. The Narendra Modi government “cannot hide behind smokescreen anymore,” the CPI(M) said and demanded that the CBI be directed to immediately file a case based on the material provided by the prosecution in the United States.

“Bribery of public servants comes under the Prevention of Corruption Act, which is under the remit of the CBI,” the Left Party said.

CPIM Polit Bureau Statement on #Adani Indictment in a US Court by the Department of Justice:
Book Adani on Corruption Chargeshttps://t.co/bwD2uyhJMC pic.twitter.com/8AU4l5q9Tl

— CPI (M) (@cpimspeak) November 21, 2024

The CPI(M) said that the indictment filed in the US court by the Department of Justice against Gautam Adani and six others contained serious charges against the industrialist and his nephew Sagar Adani being involved in paying bribes to Indian government officials at the center and state levels.

“It is shameful that such large-scale bribery and suborning of government officials by the Adanis had to be exposed not in India but in the United States through their criminal justice system,” CPI(M) said.

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“Gautam Adani and his business empire have had the full protection of the Modi government to execute his unlawful and criminal activities. Prime Minister Modi himself had shielded Adani from any inquiry or prosecution on the charges emanating from the Hindenburg expose,” it said.

The left party further demanded a full-fledged investigation to “unearth all other wrongdoings by the Adani group of companies.”