U.S. SEC Says India Has Not Served Summons to Adani Executives in $265M Bribery Case
SEC reports India hasn’t served summons to Gautam and Sagar Adani in $265M bribery case, stalling U.S. legal proceedings.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) confirmed Friday that Indian authorities have not yet served summons or complaints to Adani Group executives in connection with a $265 million bribery and securities fraud case, according to a court filing in New York.
The case involves Adani Group founder Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani, both currently in India, and marks one of the highest-profile efforts by a U.S. regulator to secure cross-border legal cooperation from Indian authorities.
In its filing to a New York district court, the SEC noted repeated communications with India’s Ministry of Law and Justice, including a most recent attempt on September 14, but confirmed that there has been no verification that the summons were delivered. The SEC plans to continue pursuing service through the Hague Service Convention, which governs the cross-border delivery of legal documents.
The legal proceedings stem from last year’s Brooklyn indictment alleging that Adani bribed Indian officials to purchase electricity produced by Adani Green Energy, a key subsidiary of the conglomerate. According to the SEC, the executives misled U.S. investors by falsely assuring them about the company’s anti-corruption practices, creating an alleged securities fraud.
Representatives for the Adani Group and India’s Ministry of Law and Justice did not respond to requests for comment. The Adani Group has consistently rejected the allegations, calling them ‘baseless’ and stating it will pursue all available legal remedies. In January, Adani Green Energy said it had retained independent law firms to examine the SEC’s charges.
The delay in serving summons leaves the SEC unable to proceed with its case in U.S. courts, highlighting the difficulty of enforcing American financial laws against executives based in other countries.
Adani Bribery Case Timeline
June 2020: Alleged bribery payments begin targeting Indian officials to secure solar energy contracts.
September 2021: Adani Green Energy raises $750M via bond offering, including $175M from U.S. investors, claiming compliance with anti-corruption rules.
November 2024: U.S. DOJ unseals a five-count indictment against Gautam Adani, Sagar Adani, and others for conspiracy, FCPA violations, securities fraud, and obstruction of justice.
November 2024: SEC files a civil complaint, alleging misleading statements to U.S. investors about anti-corruption practices.
February 2025: India’s Ministry of Law and Justice requests Ahmedabad court to serve the SEC summons under the Hague Service Convention.
September 14, 2025: SEC reports no confirmation from India that the summons has been served, highlighting cross-border enforcement challenges.
October 10, 2025: SEC informs the New York court that efforts to serve Gautam and Sagar Adani are ongoing through India’s Ministry of Law and Justice.
Also Read: Gautam Adani Responds to U.S. Bribery Allegations at Jaipur Awards Event
