Adani scandal brings Indian Parl. to standstill

Both houses of the Indian Parliament were suspended on Thursday as opposition lawmakers disrupted proceedings for the third day this week to demand a discussion on allegations against the Adani Group.

US authorities have accused Gautam Adani, his nephew Sagar Adani, and Adani Green’s managing director, Vneet S. Jaain, of involvement in a $265 million bribery scheme to secure Indian solar power contracts. They are also accused of misleading US investors during fundraising activities.

Many of India’s opposition parties accuse Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP of favouring Adani and obstructing investigations against him, which both parties deny.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been a vocal critic of Gautam Adani, 62, and suggested that he should be arrested. The government has not commented on the matter, but Modi’s BJP clarified that they have no intention of defending Adani.

The BJP stated that they support industrialists as partners in nation-building and believe in letting the law take its course. BJP spokesperson Gopal Krishna Agarwal emphasised that Adani should defend himself.

Attribution: Reuters

Subediting: M. S. Salama