November 21, 2024: The opposition has stepped up its attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charges against industrialist Gautam Adani, accusing him of bribery and securities fraud. Hours after the indictment was unsealed, Congress reiterated its demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) investigation into the alleged irregularities involving the Adani Group, accusing Modi of an "intimate nexus" with his "favourite businessman."

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh was quick to respond, asserting that the charges against Adani validate the opposition's long-standing call for a JPC probe into the business tycoon’s dealings. Ramesh said the party had raised concerns over the Adani Group’s operations since early 2023, when they first highlighted potential corruption and irregularities involving the conglomerate.

“The indictment of Gautam Adani by the US authorities confirms the very issues we raised in our series, ‘Hum Adani ke Hain’, where we posed 100 questions about the alleged financial misdeeds and the uncomfortably close relationship between Prime Minister Modi and Adani,” Ramesh stated.

He added that the questions posed by the Congress have yet to be answered, underscoring the need for greater accountability on the part of the Modi government. Congress has repeatedly emphasized the alleged financial ties between the Prime Minister and Adani, which they argue could have influenced critical business and governmental decisions.

The charges against Adani focus on an alleged conspiracy involving his company, Adani Green Energy Ltd., and another firm to mislead investors about a large-scale solar energy project intended to supply 12 gigawatts of power to the Indian government. US authorities claim that the project involved a cover-up of critical information, including bribery.

In response, Adani has denied all charges and vowed to contest them in court. However, the US legal action has ignited fresh scrutiny of his business empire in India, where the Adani Group's massive growth has been accompanied by questions over transparency and potential political connections.