Adani stocks crash up to 20% after Gautam Adani indicted by US over alleged $250 million bribe plot

Adani Group shares plunged when the markets opened on Thursday, November 21, 2024, after the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced it was pressing charges against Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani, Sagar Adani, and Cyril Cabanes, an executive of Azure Power Global Ltd in a bribery and fraud case.

Stocks of Adani Group companies share fell as much as 20 per cent to intra-day low on Thursday.

Adani Green Energy Ltd, the main company involved in the case saw its shares plummeting 16 per cent or by ₹225.85 to ₹1,185.90 after the market opened.

Meanwhile, Adani Enterprises Ltd, the flagship Adani Group company saw its share fall 10 per cent or by ₹282.00 to reach ₹2,538.20.

The SEC charged Gautam Adani, Sagar Adani, and Cyril Cabanes, an executive of Azure Power Global Ltd for misleading US investors, alleging a massive bribery scheme with the Indian government.

The US market regulator said the scheme was to secure a commitment of the Indian government buying energy from them at above-market rates that would benefit Adani green and Azure Power.

During the alleged scheme, Adani Green raised more than $750 million from investors and $175 million from US investors, with Azure Power’s stock also being traded on the New York Stock Exchange, the SEC said.

The SEC's complaint seeks permanent injunctions, civil penalties, and officer and director bars.