NEW DELHI, Nov 21: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has intensified his call for action against industrialist Gautam Adani, demanding his immediate arrest following allegations of bribery and fraud leveled by US prosecutors. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Gandhi highlighted charges that Adani and his associates paid $250 million in bribes to Indian officials, a claim the Adani Group has firmly denied, labeling it as baseless and vowing to pursue all legal remedies.
Gandhi stated that the US charges establish violations of both Indian and American laws, underscoring the need for urgent accountability. He took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Ek hain to safe hain” slogan, alleging a nexus between the Prime Minister and Adani that ensures immunity from scrutiny in India. Gandhi demanded that Adani be arrested and interrogated, while also calling for the removal and investigation of SEBI chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch, whom he accused of shielding Adani.
The Congress leader reaffirmed the opposition’s united stance, promising to raise the issue vigorously in the upcoming Winter session of Parliament. Gandhi reiterated the demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into Adani Group’s financial dealings, asserting that the Modi government’s inaction stems from its protective stance towards the businessman. He accused the Prime Minister of compromising his credibility and enabling Adani’s alleged misconduct.
When questioned about the lack of action in India despite repeated allegations, Gandhi pointed to growing public awareness about the alleged Adani-Modi association. “The PM’s credibility is in tatters. The entire country now understands the connection between Adani and the PM,” he said, vowing to dismantle what he described as a “political-financial-bureaucracy network” that harms India’s democratic and economic systems.
Gandhi further alleged that the network captures India’s political apparatus through monetary influence, creating a “negative cycle” for the nation. While emphasizing that criminality and corruption must be distinguished, Gandhi maintained that the government must investigate the charges and hold Adani accountable. “If Adani is following due process, there’s no issue. But if he’s involved in corruption, he must face justice,” he asserted.
The opposition leader expressed concern about the impact of Adani Group’s alleged activities on retail and small investors, warning that their investments could face significant losses. He called for investigations to be conducted across all states, irrespective of the political party in power, stressing the importance of impartiality in addressing corruption.
Gandhi described the charges by US prosecutors as a validation of the opposition’s long-standing accusations against Adani. Highlighting instances where leaders have been arrested for far smaller allegations, he questioned why Adani, despite his involvement in what he described as a ₹2,000 crore scam, continues to evade accountability. “Chief ministers have been jailed for less, yet Adani roams free,” he remarked.
Accusing the Prime Minister of actively protecting Adani, Gandhi emphasized his role as Leader of the Opposition in exposing this alleged complicity. “It is my duty to warn the country. We want to show that Adani won’t face consequences because of the PM’s protection,” he said, guaranteeing that there would be no arrest or investigation under the current regime.
When asked about allegations implicating states ruled by non-BJP parties, Gandhi maintained that investigations should proceed in all cases, irrespective of the government involved. However, he reiterated that Adani’s arrest and prosecution must be prioritized to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law.
Gandhi concluded by reaffirming his commitment to unveiling what he called the “Adani-Modi nexus,” promising that the opposition will persist in its efforts to expose systemic corruption and protect the interests of the Indian public.