Image Credits : AFP
Indian billionaire Gautam Adani once again claimed the title of Asia’s richest man on Friday, 5th January rebounding from a tumultuous period marked by market manipulation allegations that significantly impacted his conglomerate’s financial standing.
A year ago, the Adani Group faced a severe setback as over $150 billion was wiped from its market value following a damning report by U.S. investment research firm Hindenburg Research. The report accused the conglomerate of engaging in “brazen” corporate fraud, leading to an $80 billion collapse in Gautam Adani’s fortune.
However, Adani and his business have since managed to recover a substantial portion of those losses as public scrutiny diminished. The Bloomberg Billionaires Index reveals that Adani’s net worth surged by around $7.7 billion in the past week, reaching an impressive $97.6 billion. This resurgence places him marginally ahead of fellow Indian tycoon Mukesh Ambani, making them the 12th and 13th richest individuals globally.
The revival of Adani’s fortunes coincided with a boost in the share prices of listed Adani Group companies. This positive momentum followed a significant development when India’s top court dismissed a petition seeking to broaden the investigation into the allegations made by Hindenburg Research. The court deemed the ongoing probes by market regulators sufficient, providing a sense of relief for Adani.
Adani conveyed his appreciation on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), expressing that he was thankful for the honourable supreme court’s judgment, which, according to him, demonstrated the triumph of truth. He acknowledged those who supported the conglomerate, expressing gratitude for their solidarity. Additionally, he affirmed that the Adani Group’s commitment to contributing to India’s growth story would persist.
Hindenburg Research, known for both exposing corporate wrongdoing and profiting from betting against stocks, had accused Adani of fraud in its report. Adani vehemently denied these allegations, dismissing them as a “deliberate attempt” to tarnish his conglomerate’s image for the benefit of short-sellers.
Before the controversy, Adani Group’s share prices had experienced a meteoric rise, soaring over 1,000% in the five years leading up to January 2023. This surge in value facilitated an ambitious expansion of the conglomerate, which now holds a prominent presence in key sectors such as coal mining, renewable energy, ports, and airports.
It is worth noting that Gautam Adani is considered a close associate of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, both hailing from the state of Gujarat. Critics, including opposition parties, have raised concerns about their relationship, alleging that it may have provided Adani with undue advantages in winning business and evading proper oversight.
As Adani resumes his position at the top of Asia’s wealthiest individuals, the controversy surrounding the allegations of corporate fraud and the intertwined relationship with Prime Minister Modi continues to cast a shadow over the conglomerate’s success story.