New Delhi, May 12—The Congress party on Monday raised serious concerns over R P Gupta's termination as Chairman and Managing Director of Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), suggesting a connection to corruption charges filed by US authorities against billionaire Gautam Adani and his associates.
Congress general secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, asserted that SECI had been named in a US chargesheet dated November 20, 2024, concerning bribery allegations involving Adani Group officials. According to Ramesh, SECI had recommended solar power purchase agreements that later became the basis for contracts with the Adani Group. He claimed that bribes totaling Rs 2,029 crore were allegedly promised and offered to Indian government officials in return for those deals.
"In a clear sign of admitting to wrongdoing, SECI changed the methodology of issuing power tenders in December 2024," Ramesh added, referring to policy reforms that followed the allegations.
The abrupt dismissal of Gupta, a retired IAS officer appointed to SECI by the Modi government in June 2023, came just weeks before his two-year tenure ended. Congress alleges this move is part of an effort to manage the fallout of the ongoing controversy.
"The Adani scam cannot be brushed under the carpet," Ramesh stated, using the term "Modani MegaScam" to underline what the party perceives as a nexus between the Modi government and the Adani Group.
Despite multiple requests from the US Securities and Exchange Commission, Ramesh claimed the Indian government has yet to serve a summons to Adani and the other accused.
In response to the US indictment filed in November 2024, which named Gautam Adani, his nephew Sagar Adani, and Adani Green Energy MD Vneet S Jaain for allegedly orchestrating bribes to secure solar contracts, Adani Green Energy stated that an independent review of its regulatory practices found no evidence of irregularities or non-compliance.
The Centre, meanwhile, has not publicly commented on the allegations or the US summons.
This development adds another layer to the growing scrutiny surrounding public sector appointments and corporate-government relationships, as political tensions continue to rise over transparency and accountability in major infrastructure deals.
