Judge Nicholas Garaufis directs the US Justice Department to justify its request to dismiss the criminal case, with a detailed submission due by July 13
A United States federal court has sought a detailed explanation from the Department of Justice (DOJ) before deciding whether to approve its request to withdraw fraud charges against Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani.
US District Judge Nicholas Garaufis of the Eastern District of New York declined to immediately dismiss the case, directing the DOJ to submit a more comprehensive justification by July 13. The judge said the government’s filing was too brief to permit meaningful judicial review, stating it did not provide sufficient grounds for the court to evaluate the request.
The case originates from an indictment filed in November 2024, in which Gautam Adani and his nephew, Sagar Adani, were accused of orchestrating an alleged $265 million bribery scheme involving Indian officials to secure solar energy contracts. Prosecutors also alleged they misled US investors about the company’s anti-corruption practices. The Adani Group has consistently denied the allegations.
In May 2026, the DOJ requested dismissal of the criminal case, citing prosecutorial discretion and a decision not to continue allocating resources to the matter. However, the withdrawal requires judicial approval.
The request followed reports that Adani had proposed investing $10 billion in the United States and creating 15,000 jobs, claims that drew criticism from two Democratic senators over concerns of a possible quid pro quo.
Separately, Gautam Adani and Sagar Adani agreed to pay $6 million and $12 million, respectively, to settle a civil enforcement action by the US Securities and Exchange Commission without admitting or denying the allegations. The settlement remains subject to final court approval.
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