Reason Behind US Issuing Arrest Warrant for Gautam Adani
Arrest Warrant for Gautam Adani and His Nephew Sagar Adani
Sources have reported that an arrest warrant has been issued for Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani. On Wednesday, November 20, a grand jury in New York indicted the prominent business tycoon and seven others. The charges involve bribery amounting to approximately $265 million, which is roughly 2,029 crore Indian rupees. This arrest warrant has been issued in connection with the bribery case.
Lisa H. Miller, Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, has accused Gautam Adani of attempting to bribe Indian government officials to secure solar energy supply contracts. The arrest warrant was issued as part of the investigation into this alleged bribery.
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What Is an Indictment in the U.S. Legal System?
An indictment is a formal written accusation that charges an individual with a crime. In the case of Adani and his associates, the indictment has serious legal implications. If the grand jury finds enough evidence, the accused could face trial and legal consequences.
What happens next for Adani and his alleged conspirators? They will likely go through further legal proceedings, which could lead to a trial where the charges will be examined more closely.
What is an indictment?
Black’s Law Dictionary defines an indictment as an official, written accusation made against someone charged with a crime. This process follows a specific set of steps.
Once the police investigate a suspected crime, they pass the collected evidence to a public prosecutor. The prosecutor, who represents either the state or federal government, reviews the evidence based on whether the crime is a state or federal matter. If the prosecutor believes the crime is serious enough, such as a felony, they can begin the process of selecting a grand jury.
What is a grand jury and who are its members?
A grand jury is a group of individuals chosen randomly to represent a diverse mix of citizens from the area under the court’s jurisdiction. In New York State, this jury can have up to 23 members, with at least 16 required to review the evidence.
This process is essential because, as stated in New York’s Grand Juror’s Handbook, no one can face trial for a felony in the state without first being formally charged through a grand jury indictment.
What does a grand jury do?
A grand jury’s role is different from that of a trial jury, often seen in TV shows or movies. While a trial jury decides whether someone is guilty “beyond a reasonable doubt,” a grand jury’s task is simpler. It evaluates whether there is enough evidence to move forward with a trial, not to determine guilt or innocence.
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If the grand jury finds the evidence sufficient, they issue an indictment, listing the formal charges against the accused. This leads to a trial where the case will be fully heard and decided.
Grand jury proceedings are confidential, unlike the public trials. Also, a grand jury doesn’t require all jurors to agree, unlike a trial jury. In New York, at least 12 jurors out of the 16 to 23 must agree to issue the indictment.
In Adani’s case, after the indictment, the trial will likely move to the “arraignment” phase. During this stage, the judge will present the charges and determine whether the accused individuals can be granted bail. The accused will then decide whether to plead guilty or not guilty. If they plead not guilty, the case will proceed to a jury trial.
