The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is seeking court approval to adopt alternative measures to serve legal summons on Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, and his nephew Sagar Adani, according to a report by Bloomberg. The report, however, has not been independently verified by Indian business news channel CNBC-TV18.
As per the Bloomberg report, the SEC has approached a federal district court in Brooklyn, New York, seeking permission to use alternative service methods instead of traditional diplomatic channels to ensure that legal summons are formally delivered to the two individuals. The US regulator has argued that repeated attempts to serve notices through Indian authorities have not yielded results, delaying the legal process.
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Difficulty in serving summons through Indian channels
The report states that the SEC has made multiple efforts to serve legal summons through established international and governmental channels in India. However, these attempts were reportedly unsuccessful. The US regulator has contended that cross-border legal service procedures are often complex and time-consuming, which can significantly slow down regulatory and judicial proceedings.
According to the SEC’s submission, continued delays in serving summons could hamper the progress of the case and affect the regulator’s ability to proceed in a timely manner. The agency has therefore sought the court’s intervention to allow alternative service mechanisms under US law.
Proposal to notify US-based legal counsel
Bloomberg further reported that the SEC has requested permission from the court to formally notify US-based law firms representing the Adani side. The firms named in the report include Kirkland & Ellis and Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, which are understood to be advising the Adani Group in various legal matters. Another legal counsel representing Sagar Adani has also been mentioned.
The SEC has argued that serving summons through these US-based legal representatives would legally establish that the concerned parties are aware of the proceedings in the American court. Such a step, if approved, would enable the regulator to move forward with the case without further procedural delays.
Efforts ongoing for nearly a year
The report also notes that the SEC has indicated that it has been attempting for nearly a year to advance the legal process involving Gautam and Sagar Adani. These efforts have reportedly involved diplomatic, legal and procedural avenues. However, detailed public disclosures regarding the nature of these attempts have not been made.
As of now, the Adani Group has not issued any formal statement responding to the Bloomberg report or the SEC’s court filing.
Immediate impact on stock markets
Following the publication of the Bloomberg report, shares of several Adani Group companies came under pressure in Friday’s trading session on Indian stock exchanges. Key listed entities such as Adani Enterprises, Adani Ports, Adani Green Energy, and Adani Power were seen trading near their intraday lows.
Market analysts said that reports involving foreign regulators and large business conglomerates often have a direct impact on investor sentiment, even if the developments are procedural in nature and no formal findings have been announced.
What lies ahead
Legal experts noted that if the US court grants the SEC permission to use alternative methods of service, it would be treated as formal legal notice having been served. This would allow the case to proceed to the next stage of judicial or regulatory review.
For now, investors, legal observers and market participants are closely watching the next order from the US court, as well as any official response from the Adani Group. The matter is also being viewed as significant in the broader context of cross-border regulatory risks and the challenges involved in enforcing legal processes across jurisdictions.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
