‘Will investigate…’, Rahul Gandhi on report on Adani’s suspected fraud in alleged coal scam

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that Adani has “looted thousands of crores by selling low-grade coal at three times the price”. He also asked, “Will the Prime Minister tell how many tempos were used to keep ED, CBI and IT quiet on this open corruption?”

Gandhi referred to a Financial Times report alleging that the Adani Group passed off low-quality coal as far more expensive cleaner fuel in transactions with an Indian state power utility.

“A huge coal scam has come to light under the BJP government. Through this scam that has been going on for years, Modiji’s favorite friend Adani has looted thousands of crores of rupees by selling low-grade coal at three times the price, the price of which…,” the Wayanad MP wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

“After June 4, the Indian government will investigate this mega scam and account for every penny looted from the public,” he added.

The Congress party will order a probe by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) into what it calls ‘Modani’ mega scam if INDIA bloc government wins the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, Jairam Ramesh also said in a statement on May 22.

“All this will change when the INDIA alliance takes power next month. A JPC will be constituted within a month to investigate the Modani mega scam,” Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said in a statement on May 22.

The documents, secured by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and reviewed by the Financial Times, suggest that Adani may have fraudulently obtained bumper profits at the expense of air quality, since using low-grade coal for power means burning more of the fuel, the report published on May 22 said.

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“Over-invoicing of coal, sending ₹20,000 crore of illegal money back to Adani companies, he way the Modi regime forced Indian businesses to sell their assets to Adani and the high prices Indian consumers paid in electricity bills and airport charges to enrich those close to the Prime Minister will all be scrutinized. Every benefit provided to Adani and every corruption committed by him will be thoroughly investigated,” Ramesh said.

After the completion of five phases, the Lok Sabha elections to 428 of the 543 seats are over. Voting for the remaining two phases will be held on May 25 and June 1. The votes for all seven phases will be counted on June 4.

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The BJP-ledNational Democratic Alliance(NDA), seeking a record third term under Prime MinisterNarendra Modi, has set a target of winning 400 seats this election. The ruling alliance is challenged by the opposition parties led by the Congress under the banner of the INDIA bloc.