Arrest him now! Rahul Gandhi accuses PM Modi of shielding Adani amid US bribery indictment

New Delhi: In a fiery statement on Thursday, Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition, launched a direct attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of being involved in a deep-rooted corruption nexus with industrialist Gautam Adani. The Congress MP demanded the immediate arrest of Adani after he was indicted in a major bribery case in the United States, a development that has put the spotlight on the ongoing corruption controversy surrounding the Adani Group.

Allegations of Corruption and Bribery

Rahul Gandhi’s comments came after US prosecutors accused Adani and his nephew of engaging in bribery. They allegedly paid Rs 2,029 crore in bribes to Indian government officials to secure solar power contracts with state electricity distribution companies between 2020 and 2024. The charges further escalate the ongoing scrutiny of Adani’s business dealings, which have been the subject of multiple investigations in both India and abroad.

During a press conference, Gandhi emphasized that the growing evidence of Adani's involvement in corrupt practices across two countries—India and the United States—demonstrates the industrialist's disregard for both Indian and international laws. “It is now pretty clear and established that Adani has broken both Indian law and American law. I am wondering why Adani is running around as a free man in this country. It is a vindication of what we have been saying. The PM is protecting Adani and the PM is involved in corruption with Adani,” said Gandhi.

The Adani-Modi Nexus: A Growing Allegation

The Congress party has consistently accused Prime Minister Modi of protecting Adani, drawing a connection between the BJP government’s alleged support for Adani’s rise in business and the alleged acts of corruption. Gandhi reiterated his party’s long-standing demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the transactions of the Adani Group, citing the urgent need for accountability.

Asserting that it was his duty as the Leader of the Opposition to hold those in power accountable, Gandhi stated, “This man has acquired India’s assets through corruption. He provides support to the BJP, it is established. JPC is our demand, but we want Adani to be arrested.” Gandhi also emphasized that investigations should extend across all states, regardless of which party holds power, as the US indictment implicates officials from multiple states and one Union Territory: Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, and Jammu and Kashmir.

Calls for Immediate Action

The Congress leader’s comments are likely to fuel political tensions as India approaches the upcoming Winter session of Parliament. Gandhi indicated that he would raise the issue during the session and continue pushing for a full investigation into Adani’s alleged corrupt activities. With allegations of bribery and corruption continuing to mount, the spotlight on Adani and his ties to the ruling government shows no sign of waning.