The U.S. indictment of Gautam Adani in a bribery case has brought attention to a mysterious "Foreign Official #1" from Andhra Pradesh, allegedly involved in accepting a ₹1,750 crore bribe for facilitating solar power contracts with Adani between 2020 and 2024.
The indictment describes Foreign Official #1 as a "high-ranking government official of Andhra Pradesh" serving between May 2019 and June 2024 but does not disclose their identity.
This omission has fueled speculation in political circles, though no names have been officially confirmed or discussed publicly.
According to the indictment, in 2020, Adani Green Energy and another company secured a 12-gigawatt solar power deal with the government-owned Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI).
However, when SECI struggled to find buyers, Adani Group allegedly bribed Andhra Pradesh officials to persuade state power distribution companies (Discoms) to purchase the power.
Foreign Official #1 allegedly received $228 million (₹1,750 crore) to secure agreements for Andhra Discoms to buy 7 gigawatts of solar power.
The indictment claims that Adani personally interacted with the official multiple times in 2021, including on August 7, September 12, and November 20, to finalize the deals.
Following these meetings, Andhra power distribution companies signed power sale agreements (PSAs) with SECI.
The timeline implicates the Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSR Congress Party, which was in power in Andhra Pradesh during the period in question.
However, since the indictment does not specifically identify the official as a politician, speculation remains inconclusive.
Adani Group has denied all allegations, and as of now, no direct evidence has been presented to implicate specific individuals or parties.
Political analysts suggest the YSRCP could evade scrutiny unless the allegations are substantiated in court.
