NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday called for the immediate arrest of billionaire Gautam Adani following US’ charges against the industrialist for alleged bribery and fraud.
During a press conference, Gandhi addressed the US prosecutors’ allegations that Adani and associates paid $250 million in bribes to Indian officials. He emphasised that the businessman had violated both Indian and American laws.
“It is now pretty clear and established in America that Mr (Gautam) Adani has broken both American law and Indian law. He has been indicted in the United States, and I am wondering why Mr Adani is still running around a free man in this country,” he said at a press briefing.
The leader of opposition further reiterated Congress’s demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the transactions of Adani and its enterprises.
Meanwhile, Adani has denied all charges terming them “baseless.”
‘Ek hain, safe hain’
Taking a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra poll rhetoric of ‘ek hain, safe hain,’ the leader of opposition said that PM Modi lacked the “ability to arrest Adani” as the whole “BJP structure was funded by Adani.”
“In India, if Narendra Modi and Adani are together then they are safe. Nothing can be done to Adani in India. Here the chief minister is sent to jail and Adani is roaming free after committing a scam of Rs 2,000 crore. Because Narendra Modi is protecting them,” he said.
‘Should Adani’s projects in opposition-ruled states also be reviewed?’ Rahul responds
Hours after Amit Malviya said that the states mentioned in the US indictment charges against Adani were all ruled by Congress and allies at the time of the alleged crime, Rahul, responding to a reporter’s question said that “wherever there is corruption, investigation should be done.”
“But investigation will begin with Adani. Unless he is arrested, it won’t be credible. So, begin it from there. Arrest Adani, interrogate him and then nab whoever is involved. In the end, Narendra Modi’s name will come out because BJP’s entire funding structure is in his hands. So, even if the PM wants, he can’t do anything. In a way, Adani has hijacked the country. India is in Adani’s grip,” he said.
‘Will raise this issue in Parliament’
The Congress leader said that he would raise the issue in Parliament hours after Amit Malviya questioned the timing of the indictment.
“We are raising this issue. It is my responsibility as LoP, to raise this issue. PM Modi is 100% protecting this man. This man has acquired India’s assets through corruption,” Rahul said.
‘JPC is our demand’
Rahul reiterated the party’s demand for JPC and said that “Madhavi Buch should be removed from her post and investigated.”
“We have been raising this again and again… we have raising it with the Madhabi Buch issue, and it is a vindication of what we have been saying. The prime minister is protecting Mr Adani and the prime minister is involved in corruption with Mr Adani. This is being clearly indicated,” he said.
“He provides support to the BJP, it is established. We will repeat this. JPC is our demand but we want that Adani be arrested. But we know that he won’t be arrested because the PM of India backs Adani, he is his protector,” he added
Gautam Adani has been indicted by US prosecutors for his alleged involvement in a $265 million bribery scheme, thrusting his conglomerate into crisis for the second time in two years.
The charges, which include multiple counts of fraud, were leveled against Adani along with seven other defendants.
Arrest warrants have been issued for both Adani and his nephew, Sagar Adani, with plans to hand them over to foreign law enforcement, according to court records.
Following the indictment, shares and bonds of Adani companies plummeted, with Adani Green Energy, at the heart of the allegations, canceling a $600 million bond sale.
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