Cong, BJP spar over US jury indictment of Adani

The indictment of Gautam Adani by a US court triggered a war of words between the Congress and the BJP on Thursday, with Rahul Gandhi demanding the immediate arrest of the billionaire and accusing the government of protecting him.

- PREETHA NAIR & RAJESH KUMAR THAKUR

The BJP responded aggressively, calling it the Leader of Opposition's persistent campaign to tarnish PM Narendra Modi's image. The BJP pointed out that none of the four states named in the US court included BJP-led governments.

Hours after the US court indicted the tycoon and seven others, Gandhi launched a scathing attack. At a press conference, he said that PM Modi would not arrest Adani because the magnate is "funding the BJP".

"It is now quite clear that Adani has violated both Indian and American laws. I wonder why Adani is still free in this country. This vindicates what we have been saying. The PM is protecting Adani. He should be arrested today," the Congress MP said.

He reiterated that Adani's "protector", Madhabi Puri Buch, should be removed as SEBI chairperson and investigated for inaction.