US judge dismisses Adani bribery case following DOJ request

A US federal judge formally dismissed all fraud and bribery charges against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani on Monday, 10 August, following a request by the Trump administration to scrap the high-profile corruption case. The decision effectively ends a legal battle over an alleged $265 million scheme involving solar energy contracts in India. Court questions DOJ procedure Judge Nicholas Garaufis of the Brooklyn federal court signed off on the dismissal after the Department of Justice (DOJ) moved to drop the 2024 allegations. Prosecutors had previously accused Adani and several associates of bribing Indian government officials to secure lucrative energy supply deals. The dismissal follows a May request by federal prosecutors to terminate the proceedings. The ruling included sharp criticism of the dismissal process. Judge Garaufis described the actions of Trump-appointed Deputy Associate Attorney General Trent McCotter as "highly unusual," noting the decision was reached in collaboration with defense counsel without apparent input from the FBI or SEC agents who led the initial investigation. Investment pledge and political ties The legal turnaround comes amid reports that…