US SEC seeks court nod to serve Gautam, Sagar Adani by email as India route stalls

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has asked a federal court in Brooklyn to allow alternative methods to serve legal summons on Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani, after its efforts to deliver notice through Indian authorities failed for more than a year. 

In a filing dated January 21, 2026, the SEC requested that US District Judge Nicholas Garaufis permit service by email and through the defendants’ US-based legal representatives, arguing that further attempts via Indian channels are unlikely to succeed.

Under US civil procedure, the case cannot substantially proceed until defendants are formally served.

India service requests rejected twice, SEC tells court

The SEC said it has been trying to serve the summons through India’s Ministry of Law and Justice since February 2025, using the process under the Hague Service Convention.

However, the regulator told the court that India rejected the requests twice — the most recent rejection coming in December 2025 — citing procedural concerns such as document format requirements, including issues related to signature and seal. The filing also said Indian authorities appeared to raise questions over whether the SEC had the authority to use the Convention route for the case.

The SEC said that given the history of rejections, additional attempts through the same route were unlikely to succeed.

What the SEC alleges

The SEC’s civil lawsuit — unsealed in November 2024 — alleges that Gautam and Sagar Adani violated US securities laws through misleading statements linked to Adani Green Energy’s anti-corruption and anti-bribery representations in bond offering materials.

The defendants have denied wrongdoing, and the allegations remain unproven.

The SEC action is part of broader US proceedings tied to an alleged bribery scheme involving about $265 million, according to filings.

Adani stocks slide after service move

Adani Group stocks declined sharply in Friday’s trade after reports of the SEC’s filing.

• Adani Enterprises fell as much as 9.1%
• Adani Green Energy dropped as much as 13.1%

The group has previously called the allegations “baseless” and said it would explore all legal options. 

Why This Matters

The SEC filing highlights a key reality in cross-border enforcement: even high-profile US securities cases can remain stuck at the procedural stage if service cannot be completed.

If the judge approves email and counsel-based service, it could clear a major obstacle and allow the litigation to move forward — with implications for investor disclosures, overseas bond markets, and regulatory coordination between jurisdictions.

Summary

• The SEC asked a US court to allow email/counsel-based service to Gautam and Sagar Adani after service through Indian authorities failed for over a year.
• India’s Law Ministry rejected the SEC’s service requests twice, the filing said.
• The case relates to alleged misleading anti-corruption disclosures linked to Adani Green Energy bond offerings.
• Adani Group stocks fell sharply, with Adani Enterprises down as much as 9.1% and Adani Green down 13.1%.

FAQs

Q1: Why did the SEC request alternative service?

Because service through India’s Law Ministry route has not succeeded for over a year, and the SEC told the court further attempts are unlikely to work.

Q2: What does alternative service mean?

If approved, the SEC can serve summons via email and through US-based legal representatives, allowing the case to move beyond procedural limbo.

Q3: What is the SEC case about?

The SEC alleges misleading statements relating to anti-corruption and anti-bribery policies linked to Adani Green’s bond offering materials.

Q4: Is this a criminal case?

This SEC action is civil. There are separate US criminal proceedings related to the same broader set of allegations.

Q5: Have the allegations been proven?

No. The case is ongoing and allegations remain unproven.