New Delhi: Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi Thursday demanded the arrest of Gautam Adani, hours after US prosecutors charged the industrialist, along with his nephew Sagar Adani and six others, in an alleged bribery and fraud scheme.
Gandhi, who has repeatedly alleged a nexus between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the billionaire businessman, said the development in the US was a “vindication” of the Congress party’s position.
Adani has “hijacked the country”, Gandhi alleged. “India is in his grip.”
At a press conference in the Congress headquarters in New Delhi, the LoP said, “It is now pretty clear and established in America that Mr. Adani has broken both American and Indian law. I am wondering—why Mr Adani is still running around a free man in this country. Adani should be arrested. He should be arrested today.”
The Congress leader further said he was sure the Indian government would not act against Adani as he enjoyed protection from “Prime Minister Narendra Modi” himself.
“The PM cannot do anything, even if he wants, because he is in Adani’s control. I can guarantee that he (Adani) would not be arrested. Adani controls the entire funding structure of the BJP,” Gandhi said.
Asked about allegations in the US court that the business group bribed officials with power-distributing companies in states, including Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Tamil Nadu, Gandhi said the investigation should not spare anyone involved. The BJP has been highlighting this aspect of the indictment to counter Gandhi’s charges.
“Whoever is found involved should be investigated against. A few months ago, the Rajasthan and Maharashtra governments signed agreements similar to one signed by Chhattisgarh (under Congress then). Be it ruling or Opposition-ruled, whoever is involved should come under the ambit of the probe,” Gandhi said.
He also distinguished what he described as “criminality” and “corruption”, suggesting that Congress-ruled states entered into agreements with the Adani Group following due procedures.
“I have a problem with the latter (criminality). The Congress party is fighting for India’s retail investors. As Leader of Opposition, it is my duty,” he said, adding that the Congress also demands a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the issue. “The beginning, however, should be made with Adani’s arrest.”
The Congress, along with its INDIA bloc allies, “stand united” on the issue, Gandhi said, adding that the issue would be raised in the Parliament session, beginning Monday, signalling that the House was set to witness major confrontations between the Opposition and treasury benches.
Also Read: US court indicts Gautam Adani, others for ‘promising bribes worth Rs 2,000 cr’ to Indian govt officials
‘PM’s credibility has been destroyed’
He also demanded an immediate investigation against SEBI chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch, who Congress, in the recent past, has targeted, particularly for her alleged business links with the Adani Group’s entities.
“It is not about one individual. We will expose the entire network. We have shown how Madhabi Puri Buch is involved. Going ahead, we will reveal more names. The entire structure will be dismantled—by the end of it,” Gandhi said.
Buch has been mired in impropriety and conflict of interest allegations—first levelled by US-based short-seller Hindenburg Research, which accused Bush and her husband, Dhaval Buch, of having stakes in obscure offshore entities linked to the Adani Group. The Lok Sabha’s Public Accounts Committee, headed by Congress MP K.C. Venugopal, summoned her in the case, but she skipped, citing personal exigency.
Gandhi also dismissed suggestions that Congress’s persistent efforts to establish alleged links between the Adani Group and the Centre are yet to yield something substantial.
“It is not that nothing has happened. The PM’s credibility has been destroyed. His image has been obliterated. We know that no Indian institution is going to help. However, we want to prove to every Indian youngster that Adani and Modi are linked. That Modi is corrupt. Adani is safe in India because of Modi,” he said.
(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)
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