'Corroborates our statement...': Adani Group reacts to 'cash-for-question' row involving TMC MP Mahua Moitra

The statement noted that certain parties and individuals have been making concerted efforts to tarnish the conglomerate’s reputation, goodwill, and market position.

A spokesperson for the Adani Group emphasised that a Supreme Court lawyer recently lodged a formal complaint with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), presenting a sworn affidavit detailing what he characterized as "an extensive criminal conspiracy."

The Adani Group Monday said it is clear that some groups and individuals have been "working overtime" to harm the conglomerate's "name, goodwill and market standing" as proven by allegations.

According to the allegation, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra and Darshan Hiranandani, the CEO of the Hiranandani Group devised a plan to specifically target Gautam Adani and his group of companies by raising a series of parliamentary questions.

However, the Hiranandani Group has refuted allegations of offering bribes to the TMC MP.

According to the Adani Group's statement, the lawyer's affidavit suggests that as part of this alleged exchange, Moitra received bribes and various undue advantages from Hiranandani.

In an earlier statement, the Adani Group also highlighted how certain foreign entities, including the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), supported by a segment of foreign media, short-sellers, and domestic collaborators, have initiated a series of attacks against the Adani Group with the primary aim of undermining its market worth.

The Adani Group further stated that a different Member of Parliament had relayed the complaint to the Lok Sabha Speaker, urging an inquiry into Moitra's actions and advocating for her suspension from the House.

In a separate development, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey penned a letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker on Sunday, urging the establishment of an investigative committee to look into the conduct of Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra.

Dubey said, “Bribes were exchanged between Mahua Moitra and a businessman to ask questions in Parliament in exchange for cash and gifts”.

He also pointed out that among the 61 queries she raised in the Lok Sabha, 50 were specifically aimed at the Adani Group, a conglomerate that the TMC MP has consistently accused of misconduct.

The Adani Group spokesperson also pointed out that this recent development lends credence to their earlier statement dated October 9, 2023.

"The development corroborates our statement on 9 October, 2023 that some groups and individuals have been working overtime to harm our name, goodwill and market standing. In this particular case, a lawyer's complaint reveals that this arrangement to besmirch the reputation and interests of the Adani Group and our chairman Gautam Adani has been in place since 2018," the Adani Group spokesperson said.

"In fact, these individuals and groups, bound by the common objective of damaging the Adani Group, have developed a playbook which is being executed by well-oiled and professional machinery working in sync within India and abroad," the Adani Group said.