Archive · 12 Aug 2026
Rahul Gandhi: 'Compromised PM' forced to sell India's interest
Something surprising happened in a court in the United States.
A judge said that a big business leader named Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani would not face some serious charges about money.
The judge also said these charges can never be brought back.
In India, a famous politician named Rahul Gandhi was very upset.
He said the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, was a 'compromised PM' who was forced to sell India's interest, and that India is paying a huge price.
The judge explained that he dropped the case because the government lawyers asked him to, not because everyone was proven innocent.
No trial happened, so no witnesses spoke and no one was found guilty.
Some other parts of the case, about bribing officials in other countries, are still being looked at, with more decisions due by August 31.
The Adani Group says it did nothing wrong.
People are arguing about whether this was a fair decision or not.
US District Judge Nicholas Garaufis permanently dismissed securities-fraud and wire-fraud conspiracy charges against Gautam Adani and Sagar Adani, as well as former Adani Green Energy CEO Vneet Jaain.
Rahul Gandhi alleged Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a 'compromised PM' forced to sell India's interest, saying there is 'much more to this than meets the eye.'
The judge granted the US Justice Department's Rule 48(a) motion to dismiss Counts Two, Three and Four, stressing the ruling was an exercise of prosecutorial discretion, not a verdict.
Garaufis reserved judgment on a Foreign Corrupt Practices Act count and an obstruction-of-justice conspiracy count involving five India-based co-defendants, with an August 31 deadline.
The Justice Department cited jurisdictional and evidentiary challenges, the predominantly Indian nature of the conduct and no identified investor losses; Adani accepted the decision with 'humility.'
- Who
- Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi; the case involved Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani, his nephew Sagar Adani and former Adani Green Energy CEO Vneet Jaain, with US District Judge Nicholas Garaufis presiding.
- What
- A US federal judge permanently dismissed securities-fraud and wire-fraud conspiracy charges against Gautam Adani and Sagar Adani after the US Justice Department requested they be dropped; other counts remain pending.
- When
- The 47-page order was issued on August 10; Rahul Gandhi reacted on Wednesday; the Justice Department sought dismissal in May; further decisions are due by August 31.
- Where
- The United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York; political reaction centered in India.
- Why
- The Justice Department cited jurisdictional and evidentiary challenges, the predominantly Indian nature of the alleged conduct, scrutiny by Indian authorities and the absence of identified investor losses.
Critics' View
Justice Department & Adani View
Why the charges were dropped
Critics' View
Rahul Gandhi alleged a 'compromised PM' was forced to sell India's interest and that India is paying a 'huge price.'
Justice Department & Adani View
The Justice Department said an extensive review found jurisdictional and evidentiary challenges, predominantly Indian conduct, scrutiny by Indian authorities and no identified investor losses, and that continuing the prosecution no longer aligned with its priorities.
The case's origins
Critics' View
Gandhi hinted that 'there is much more to this than meets the eye,' suggesting hidden motives behind the dismissal.
Justice Department & Adani View
The department argued the case, unsealed in the closing weeks of the Biden administration, had little realistic prospect of reaching trial and appeared to be a politically motivated 'name and shame' exercise.
Meaning of the dismissal
Critics' View
Gandhi's remarks imply the ruling reflects political pressure rather than a fair legal outcome.
Justice Department & Adani View
Judge Garaufis stressed the dismissal was an exercise of prosecutorial discretion, not a verdict; no trial was held and no evidence was tested in court, and the Adani Group has denied the allegations.
- Judge
- Nicholas Garaufis, US District Court, Eastern District of New York
- Order date
- August 10
- Charges dismissed
- Counts Two, Three and Four (securities-fraud conspiracy, wire-fraud conspiracy, securities fraud)
- Dismissal type
- With prejudice, cannot be refiled
- Charges reserved
- Count One (Foreign Corrupt Practices Act) and Count Five (obstruction-of-justice conspiracy)
- Key deadline
- August 31
- Named defendants
- Gautam Adani, Sagar Adani, Vneet Jaain
- Rahul Gandhi's claim
- Modi is a 'compromised PM' who was forced to sell India's interest
