US Judge Declines To Immediately Dismiss Adani Bribery Case, Seeks DOJ Justification

A US federal judge has refused to immediately dismiss the criminal case against Indian industrialist Gautam Adani. According to Reuters, the court has ordered the US Department of Justice to submit written reasons explaining why it wants to drop the case. The case dates back to 2024, filed under the Biden administration, alleging that Adani Group entered into an arrangement to pay roughly $265 million in bribes to Indian officials to secure approvals for a solar power project, and that the company misled American investors about its anti-corruption policies.

A Withdrawal Request, Then A Pause
After Donald Trump took office, the Justice Department approached the court seeking to withdraw the case. Around the same time, a lawyer representing Adani, who also serves as Trump’s personal attorney, reportedly informed US officials that Adani was considering a $10 billion investment in the United States, but said that investment couldn’t move forward until the case was resolved. Notably, the Justice Department’s petition to drop the case came just days after this investment proposal surfaced. The judge has put the decision on hold and asked for an explanation before proceeding.

A Separate Settlement Over Iran Sanctions
In a separate matter, Adani Enterprises has already settled with the US Treasury Department over allegations that it violated Iran sanctions, paying $275 million. That penalty stemmed from allegations that the company imported LPG cargoes from Iran while disguising their origin as Oman and Iraq. Adani has also reached a civil settlement with the US Securities and Exchange Commission in the bribery case, though that settlement still requires court approval. Throughout these proceedings, Adani Group has consistently and strongly denied all the allegations against it.