New York, United States — April 8, 2026
Indian billionaire Gautam Adani has formally challenged a civil fraud case filed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, seeking its dismissal in a U.S. federal court.
In a petition filed Tuesday in a Brooklyn federal court, Adani’s legal team argued that the case falls outside U.S. jurisdiction, marking a significant development in the ongoing legal dispute.
Legal Challenge Centers on Jurisdiction
According to court filings, Adani’s lawyers contend that both the alleged actions and the individuals involved are based in India, making the case beyond the regulatory reach of U.S. authorities.
They also emphasized that the bonds referenced in the SEC’s complaint were never traded on U.S. exchanges, further challenging the basis of the case.
Background of the Allegations
The SEC filed the lawsuit in November 2024, accusing Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani of involvement in an alleged bribery scheme.
The regulator claims that the scheme was linked to securing benefits for Adani Green Energy and was not disclosed in bond offering documents worth approximately ₹6,965 crore issued in 2021.
Defense Denies Wrongdoing
Adani’s legal team has strongly denied the allegations, describing the bribery claims as “baseless” and stating that there is no evidence of Gautam Adani’s direct involvement.
They reiterated that the case represents an overreach of jurisdiction, as all relevant activities took place outside the United States.
As of now, the SEC has not issued an official response to the latest court filing.
What Comes Next
The court’s decision on the dismissal request could have broader implications for cross-border regulatory authority and corporate accountability involving global firms.
Legal experts say the case may set an important precedent regarding how U.S. regulators pursue cases involving foreign entities with limited domestic financial links.
