TNI Bureau: A New York Times report has ignited a significant political firestorm in India, alleging that the U.S. Department of Justice was contemplating the dismissal of fraud and bribery charges against industrialist Gautam Adani and his associates.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi swiftly weaponized this report, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi on X of negotiating not a trade agreement, but “Adani’s release.” Gandhi labeled the Prime Minister a “Compromised PM,” reiterating his persistent assertion that the BJP government favors specific corporate interests.

Reports from international media indicate Adani’s legal counsel contended before U.S. authorities that the case lacked jurisdiction and sufficient evidence. Furthermore, these reports suggested discussions regarding Adani-linked investment commitments in the United States occurred during negotiations. Nevertheless, no public evidence substantiates any direct Indian government involvement in this legal proceeding.

According to NYT reports, Gautam Adani hired a new legal team led by Robert J. Giuffra Jr., one of President Trump’s personal lawyers and the co-chairman of the prominent firm Sullivan & Cromwell.

“If prosecutors dropped the charges, Adani would be willing to invest $10 billion in the American economy and create 15,000 jobs, echoing a pledge he had made in the wake of Mr. Trump’s election,” reports NYT.

The ensuing controversy has bifurcated into two distinct narratives.

The Congress and other opposition parties interpret this development as definitive evidence of a profound connection between political power and major corporations. Rahul Gandhi’s critique aligns with his ongoing campaign accusing the Modi government of “crony capitalism” and granting preferential treatment to the Adani Group.

Conversely, BJP supporters and segments of the business community perceive the timing and presentation of these reports as elements of a broader international effort aimed at undermining Indian industrial expansion and the Adani Group. They contend that Western media outlets have disproportionately focused on Adani due to his perceived closeness to Modi, while the allegations themselves remain unsubstantiated in legal proceedings.

Additionally, some observe that settlements or the dropping of charges in U.S. corporate cases are not unusual occurrences.