Indian Parliament Disrupted Over Allegations Against Billionaire Adani
India’s Parliament faced disruption for the third consecutive day due to opposition parties protesting against the government’s silence on allegations against billionaire Gautam Adani. Adani has been accused of fraud and bribery in the United States, leading to uproar among opposition members.
As Speaker Om Birla called the session to order, opposition members stood up and protested loudly, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government of shielding Adani. The session was adjourned due to the disruptions caused by the opposition.
The opposition demanded a joint committee to investigate Adani’s various business ventures, spanning agriculture, renewable energy, coal, and infrastructure. Adani, known as one of the wealthiest individuals globally, and his associates were charged by US prosecutors with securities fraud, conspiracy to commit securities fraud, and wire fraud.
The charges allege that Adani misled investors in a large solar project in India by concealing bribes given to facilitate the project. The accusations also claim that around $265 million in bribes was paid to Indian government officials.
While Adani Group dismissed the allegations as baseless, the Indian government has not yet issued a statement on the matter. Members of the governing Bharatiya Janata Party, including IT head Amit Malviya, emphasized that the US charges are mere allegations and the accused are innocent until proven guilty.
Critics have raised concerns that the lack of a clear stance from the Indian government may signal implicit support for the Adani Group. The situation surrounding Adani’s legal challenges continues to unfold, prompting further scrutiny and questions within India’s political landscape.
