WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — Two Democratic senators are raising questions about the Justice Department’s decision to step away from a high-profile corruption case involving Indian billionaire Gautam Adani.
Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut have asked acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to explain why federal prosecutors decided not to pursue the case further. The lawmakers cited reports suggesting the decision may have been linked to promises of major investments in the United States.
The senators said the move creates concerns about fairness, accountability, and possible political influence in the handling of the case.
Warren and Blumenthal sent a letter to Blanche seeking details about the Justice Department’s actions. They pointed to reports describing the decision as “transactional” and asked whether Adani or his representatives offered to invest $10 billion in the United States in exchange for favorable treatment.
The lawmakers also want to know whether officials at the White House communicated with the Justice Department about the case. According to the senators, the circumstances surrounding the decision raise concerns that wealth and political connections may have influenced the outcome.
“The DOJ’s decision gives the appearance that Mr. Adani — with the help of one of the president’s personal lawyers — bought his way to criminal immunity,” the senators wrote in their letter. The Justice Department and the U.S. attorney’s office in Brooklyn did not immediately comment on the allegations. Attorneys representing Adani also did not respond to requests for comment.
Last month, senior Justice Department official Trent McCotter and U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella informed U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis that prosecutors would not devote additional resources to the case. The court filing stated that the government did not plan to continue pursuing the matter. However, Garaufis has not yet approved the request.
The filing also drew attention because it did not include signatures from the prosecutors who had been assigned to the case. Such signatures are commonly included in major court filings.
The senators cited that detail as another reason for seeking answers.
Federal prosecutors charged Adani and several others in 2024 in the Eastern District of New York. The indictment alleged that Adani participated in a scheme involving approximately $250 million in bribes paid to Indian government officials. Prosecutors said the payments helped secure approvals for a major solar energy project.
According to the indictment, the project involved developing what was described as India’s largest solar power plant. Prosecutors said the contracts tied to the project could generate about $2 billion in profits over 20 years.
The government also accused the defendants of misleading U.S. and international investors while raising funds. Prosecutors claimed the investors received false and misleading information about the project and related business practices.
Adani has denied all wrongdoing. He has repeatedly described the allegations as baseless.
The senators’ letter also highlighted reports that Adani hired Robert Giuffra, one of President Donald Trump’s personal attorneys. Warren and Blumenthal questioned whether that relationship played a role in the Justice Department’s decision. They argued that the situation creates the appearance of special treatment.
The lawmakers said such perceptions can damage public trust in the legal system. They also warned that the decision could send the wrong message about corporate misconduct and public corruption. The senators requested answers from the Justice Department by June 25. However, Republicans currently control Congress, making further oversight efforts less likely.
The scrutiny surrounding Adani extends beyond the criminal case.
In May, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced that Gautam Adani and his nephew, Sagar Adani, agreed to pay $18 million to settle a related civil fraud case. The settlement remains subject to court approval. The SEC said both men consented to final judgments without admitting or denying the allegations.
Adani also faced another regulatory issue last month. The Treasury Department announced a $275 million settlement involving Adani Enterprises Ltd. The department said the case involved serious violations of U.S. sanctions against Iran. Despite those developments, Adani Group continues to reject allegations of wrongdoing. The controversy remains under close watch as lawmakers seek more information about why federal prosecutors chose not to move forward with one of the most closely followed international corruption cases in recent years.
