Indian Economy is Going Through a Bigger Test – The Adani Turmoil

Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to eliminate corruption, the market collapse experienced by Indian entrepreneur Gautam Adani is the most recent business scandal to hit one of the world’s most prominent economies.

A crucial test for “India Inc.” as it strives to draw foreign investment and compete with China economically in the twenty-first century, observers believe, will be conducting a thorough investigation into the fraud allegations that sparked the sell-off in Adani’s enterprises.

What Are the Allegations?

According to the US-based short-seller organization Hindenburg Research, Adani’s enormous business empire engaged in “brazen stock manipulations and bookkeeping fraud” that equated to “the greatest swindle in corporate history” throughout its rapid rise.

The startling allegations, which hold that the businesses inflated stock prices by employing offshore tax havens, have been refuted by Adani. But since last Monday, the market capitalization of the firm has lost more than $100 billion due to a wave of selling by alarmed investors.

Hindenburg’s claim that Adani’s shady operations “seem to be allowed by essentially nonexistent financial supervision” is the most damning for Modi’s administration.

Entrepreneurs, journalists, people, and even politicians are “fearful to speak out for fear of retaliation,” the organization claimed, claiming that Adani has used his “immense influence to persuade the federal government and authorities to pursue any who criticize him.”

The Modi Government Seems To be Keen on Eradicating the Corruption.

The list of dishonest former Indian businessmen is extensive and includes people like the wanted fugitive jeweler-to-the-stars Nirav Modi and Kingfisher beer’s “lord of good times” Vijay Mallya.

Modi, who has no relation to the prime leader, allegedly stole $1.8 billion from one of India’s major state-backed lenders and fled the country in 2018.

Mallya allegedly missed student loans to a state-owned bank and misused the money, leaving the government in 2016 with debts totaling more than $1 billion.

Both experienced the fall of their empires under Modi, which fueled optimism that along with granting regulators more authority, he was also committed to combating misconduct.

Almost 86 percent of banknotes were removed as part of Modi’s demonetization push in 2016, which was handled disastrously despite the claimed goal of eliminating corruption and bringing all transactions into the open.

An Australian energy analyst who follows India, Tim Buckley, told AFP, “I would genuinely really commend Prime Minister Modi.” “Crony capitalism was pervasive in India seven years ago.”

The Future – What Will Happen?

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the country’s capital markets watchdog, did not answer to AFP’s request for confirmation on Friday regarding whether it was looking into Hindenburg’s claims.

According to Hindenburg’s research, SEBI began looking into dubious Adani stakeholders situated in Mauritius in 2021 but did not take any further action for more than a year.

“Do they have inquiries or requests for disclosures? All of it is crucial, according to unbiased analyst Srinath Sridharan.

“This will also raise questions about the regulator’s actual independence. Are they really self-sufficient? And do kids have independent thought when they ask any questions?