Billionaire Gautam Adani – Chairman of the Indian conglomerate “Adani Group” and one of the world's richest men, was indicted in New York for his involvement in a $265 million bribery scheme. dollars, Reuters reported, referring to the US prosecutor's office.
U.S. authorities said Adani and seven other defendants, including his nephew Sagar Adani, agreed to pay bribes to Indian government officials to secure contracts that were expected to net them $2 billion in profits over 20 years, and to develop India's largest solar power project.
A New York court has issued arrest warrants for Gautam and Sagar Adani, and prosecutors plan to forward the arrest warrants to foreign law enforcement agencies.
They, together with the former executive director of the company “Adani Green Energy” – Vineet Jain, have been charged with conspiracy to commit securities fraud, and the two Adanis will also face civil charges related to the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
Five others have been charged with conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, America's anti-bribery law, and four of them will also face charges of conspiracy to obstruct justice.
None of the accused have been taken into custody, the Brooklyn prosecutor's office said. Gautam Adani is believed to be in India.