Adani should be in jail but govt protecting him: Rahul Gandhi

NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday criticised Centre on lack of action against billionnaire Gautam Adani over

bribery allegations

by US authorities.
Gautam Adani, founder chairman of the ports-to-energy conglomerate, his nephew Sagar Adani and another key executive, Vneet Jaain, have been charged by the

US Department of Justice

(DOJ) with being part of an alleged scheme to pay USD 265 million in bribes to Indian officials to win contracts for supply of solar electricity that would yield USD 2 billion profit over a 20-year period.

Speaking from outside Parliament, where the Congress leader was attending the winter session, Rahul said that Adani should be in jail. "You think Adani is going to accept the charges? Obviously he is going to deny the charges. The point is that he has to be arrested as we have said. Hundreds of people are being arrested on tiny charges and the gentleman has been indicted in the United States for thousands of crores, he should be in jail and the Govt is protecting him," said Rahul.

The third day of Parliament's winter session saw uproar with opposition demanding discussion on Adani charges. Shortly after the commencement of the two Houses, Lok Sabha was adjourned till 12pm and Rajya Sabha till 11.30am.

A statement on Wednesday by Adani Group claimed that the businessman and his nephew Sagar have not been charged with any violations of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) in the indictment filed by US authorities in a court in a bribery case.
In a stock exchange filing, Adani Green Energy Ltd, which is at the centre of the bribery allegations, said reports claiming that the three have been charged with FCPA violations 'are incorrect'.