US judge dismisses criminal case against Gautam Adani, Indian billionaire reacts
US District Judge Nicholas Garaufis, who is based in Brooklyn, allowed federal prosecutors to withdraw the case after questioning them about their reasons.
PTC News Desk: A US court on Monday dismissed criminal charges against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, but the judge said he had concerns about the Justice Department's decision to drop the fraud and bribery case.
US District Judge Nicholas Garaufis, who is based in Brooklyn, allowed federal prosecutors to withdraw the case after questioning them about their reasons. The judge had specifically asked whether Adani's November 2024 promise to invest $10 billion in the US had influenced the decision to drop the charges.
The Justice Department's move is the latest example of federal prosecutors seeking to end a major white-collar criminal case during Republican President Donald Trump's second term.
While dismissing the charges, Judge Garaufis said he was satisfied that Adani's investment pledge did not play a role in the Justice Department's decision. He also noted that judges have limited authority when reviewing prosecutors' decisions to withdraw criminal charges.
But he criticised Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter for collaborating with Adani’s defense lawyers in deciding to dismiss the charges without input from the prosecutors or agents who investigated the case.
“The irregularities in the decision to dismiss the indictment are concerning,” Garaufis wrote. “McCotter appears to have eschewed the professional opinions of innumerable officials from various federal offices and replaced them with his singular judgment.”
Gautam Adani reacts
Meanwhile, Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani welcomed a US court's decision to dismiss criminal charges against him, saying he had "deep respect for the judicial process."
In a post on X, Adani wrote, "I welcome the US court's decision with humility and deep respect for the judicial process. Throughout this challenging period, our faith in truth, fairness and the rule of law remained unwavering. My deepest gratitude to those who never lost faith in us, in the system and in India's capacity for justice. We will continue doing what matters: building for our nation, creating value that outlasts us and serving a purpose larger than ourselves. That is our commitment. Jai Hind."