US SEC Seeks Court Nod to Email Summons to Gautam Adani, Sagar Adani in Alleged Fraud and Bribery Case

As per Reuters, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approached a New York court requesting permission to serve summons via email to Gautam Adani and Group executive after prior requests to the Indian government were declined.  

The summons relates to allegations of fraud and a $265 million bribery scheme allegedly involving the Adani Group. 

SEC Attempts to Serve Adani & Executive Blocked by Indian Government 

According to a court filing dated January 21, 2026, the SEC has been attempting to serve Indian billionaire Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani with legal summons since last year. Previous attempts routed through the Indian government were denied twice.  

The SEC claims these denials were based on procedural requirements including signature and seal issues, which they argue are not obligatory under international treaty obligations like the Hague Convention. 

The regulator has now requested the court to allow the summons to be delivered through direct email, citing non-responsiveness and delays via diplomatic channels. The court filing suggests that the SEC has little expectation that standard service will be fulfilled. 

Background of the Legal Allegations Against Adani Group 

The legal action centres around an alleged $265 million bribery and fraud case involving Adani entities in the United States. While details of the case remain limited in the public domain, it has become one of the most prominent legal challenges faced by an Indian business group in the US. 

The Adani Group has previously labelled the fraud accusations as "baseless" and stated that it would pursue "all possible legal recourse" to defend itself. A spokesperson for the group did not immediately respond to the latest Reuters request for comment. 

Read More: Davos 2026: Adani Group Unveils US$66 Billion Investment Plan for Maharashtra! 

Indian Government Maintains Neutral Stance in Legal Matter 

India's law ministry has declined to comment on the latest filing but had earlier characterised the issue as a legal matter between private firms and the United States.  

The SEC noted that the ministry’s previous rejections had failed to recognise the commission’s legal authority to request the service, particularly under international frameworks that facilitate cross-border legal cooperation. 

Conclusion 

The SEC's effort to directly email legal summons to Adani executives reflects ongoing procedural difficulties encountered under international legal cooperation frameworks. The matter represents a significant international legal development tied to one of India’s largest conglomerates. 

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