Rahul Gandhi slams Centre, says Gautam Adani should be arrested, seeks Sebi Chief's removal

Slamming the central government once again, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, on Thursday accused the Narendra Modi administration of protecting billionaires like Gautam Adani, after a US court indicted the Adani group chairman for his alleged role in a $265 million bribery scheme. Gandhi was referring to alleged bribery and fraud charges by the US against Gautam Adani. It is "clear" and "established" that the Adani group Chairman has broken both American and Indian laws, said Gandhi, after a five-count criminal indictment was unsealed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, naming Gautam Adani among eight individuals in an alleged bribery and fraud scheme.

An Adani group spokesperson denied the allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against Adani Green directors, terming them "baseless". Read more here

"In India, if Narendra Modi and Adani are one then they are safe," said Gandhi. Taking a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'ek hain to safe hain' slogan, Gandhi said that as long as the prime minister and Adani are together, they are safe in the country.

Nobody can harm Gautam Adani in India under the Narendra Modi administration, claimed Gandhi, seeking immediate arrest of the Adani group chairman and removal of Madhabi Puri Buch as Chairperson of Sebi.

"Wherever there is corruption, investigation should be done. But the investigation will begin with Adani. Unless he is arrested, it won't be credible. So, begin it from there. Arrest Adani, interrogate him and then nab whoever is involved," said Gandhi.

Gandhi said investigations should cover all states, irrespective of which party was in power.

The Leader of Opposition also claimed that PM Narendra Modi's name will come out in the end "because the BJP's entire funding structure is in his hands".

"Even if the PM wants, he can't do anything. In a way, Adani has hijacked the country. India is in Adani's grip," alleged Gandhi. 

"It is clear that Adani has flouted both American and Indian laws," alleged Gandhi in a press conference. "He (Adani) is being indicted in the US and I am wondering why Adani is still running around a free man in this country. Chief Ministers have been arrested and Adani has apparently done one Rs 2,000 crore scam and multiple others probably but there is no investigation," stated Gandhi. 

"Here, in India, the Chief Minister is sent to jail but Adani is walking around freely after committing a scam of Rs 2,000 crore," said the Congress MP. 

The Indian National Congress MP also reiterated that his party has been demanding Adani's arrest for many days. The Grand Old Party has already demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee to investigate the Adani-Hindenburg matter.

He also asserted that wherever such scams happen, there should be an investigation and punishment must be given.

Gandhi also mentioned that retail investors are being put at risk.

"This is why we raised the issue of Madhabi Buch, as her responsibility is to protect retail investors. Adani ji has lied to investors in both America and India. When America is saying that he committed crimes, why are the CBI and SEbi silent here?" he asked.