US DOJ Backs Dismissal Of Adani Case
The US Department of Justice has defended its decision to abandon the criminal case against Gautam Adani and seven others, telling a federal court that the prosecution should not have been filed.
US DOJ Seeks Adani Case Dismissal
In a detailed filing before a US federal court, the Justice Department argued that the case against Adani should have been dropped earlier or never brought in the first place. The department said the court has only a limited role in reviewing its request to dismiss the indictment with prejudice.
The filing was made after US District Judge Nicholas Garaufis asked prosecutors to provide a fuller explanation for seeking permanent dismissal of the case. The judge had earlier said the department’s initial request did not give enough reasoning.
Adani Bribery Case Under Review
The case was originally filed in 2024 and accused Gautam Adani and others of involvement in an alleged bribery scheme linked to Indian solar power contracts. The indictment also alleged that investors were misled about anti-corruption practices.
Adani Group has previously denied the allegations. The latest DOJ filing argues that continuing the prosecution would not align with the department’s enforcement priorities and raised legal and diplomatic concerns.
US Court Yet To Rule
Although the Justice Department has asked for the charges to be dismissed permanently, the case will formally end only if the court approves the request. The judge’s review means the matter remains pending for now.
The DOJ also said forcing prosecutors to publicly justify dismissal decisions in detail could expose internal deliberations and interfere with prosecutorial discretion. The court is expected to decide whether the government’s explanation is sufficient before ruling on the dismissal request.
