New York, January 23, 2026 : The United States Securities and Exchange Commission has approached a federal court seeking permission to serve a summons on Indian billionaire Gautam Adani through alternative means, including electronic communication, according to recent court filings in the United States.
The request relates to an ongoing investigation involving certain entities of the Adani Group. The SEC has stated that its earlier efforts to serve the summons through established international and governmental channels have not resulted in successful delivery for more than 14 months.
In its submission, the US market regulator has not alleged misconduct by any government authority but has argued that the prolonged delay has prompted it to seek judicial approval for substituted service, a procedural mechanism sometimes used in cross-border cases when conventional methods are deemed ineffective.
The investigation follows allegations raised in 2023 by US-based short seller Hindenburg Research, which accused Adani Group companies of market manipulation and accounting irregularities. The Adani Group has consistently denied the allegations and has maintained that it complies with all applicable laws and disclosure requirements.
News of the latest legal development was followed by a decline in the shares of several listed Adani Group companies during trading, as investors reacted to the regulatory update. Market participants noted that overseas regulatory actions often introduce near-term uncertainty, even as the legal process continues.
The federal court is yet to rule on the SEC’s request. The outcome could have implications for how US regulators pursue enforcement actions involving individuals and entities based outside the country.
