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The Adani Group on Thursday issued an official statement, rejecting the charges brought against its executives by the US authorities. The conglomerate described the allegations of a $250 million bribery scheme involving Indian government officials as "baseless" and emphasised its commitment to pursuing all legal remedies."As stated by the US Department of Justice itself, "the charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty." All possible legal recourse will be sought," the company said in its official statement.Adani Group further said that it has "always upheld and is steadfastly committed to maintaining the highest standards of governance, transparency and regulatory compliance.""We assure our stakeholders, partners and employees that we are a law-abiding organisation, fully compliant with all laws," the statement read.Read More: Gautam Adani bribery, fraud case: All you need to know about it The charges, filed by US prosecutors and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), accuse Gautam Adani, chairman of the Adani Group, his nephew Sagar Adani, and former Adani Green Energy CEO Vneet Jaain of orchestrating a scheme from 2020 to 2024 to secure favorable terms for solar energy contracts. The alleged bribes aimed to secure contracts expected to generate $2 billion in profits. Details of the Allegations According to US authorities, the alleged bribery scheme involved the concealment of critical information from US investors and financial institutions. The Adani Group reportedly raised billions of dollars for its renewable energy projects during the period under scrutiny.Read More: Gautam Adani's wealth plummets by over $12.4 billion: Hindenburg déjà vu on the anvil? The SEC's civil charges include securities fraud and wire fraud conspiracy, while the criminal charges filed by the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York extend to violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The charges implicate not only Adani and his associates but also executives of Azure Power Global and three former employees of a Canadian pension fund, CDPQ, which holds stakes in Adani companies.The indictment emerges as a significant setback for the Adani Group, which had recently stabilised its financial standing following allegations made by Hindenburg Research in 2023. The Hindenburg report accused the conglomerate of stock manipulation and accounting fraud, causing a temporary $150 billion loss in market value across Adani companies. Although the Adani Group denied the Hindenburg allegations and recovered a substantial portion of its market capitalization, the fresh charges risk reigniting concerns over corporate governance and investor confidence. Legal and financial ramifications The SEC's complaint seeks permanent injunctions, civil penalties, and bars on Adani executives from holding officer or director positions in public companies. Simultaneously, the US criminal charges could result in extradition requests for the defendants, who primarily reside in India. CDPQ, a key investor in Adani companies, also faces scrutiny as its employees have been accused of obstructing investigations by deleting evidence and providing false information to US authorities.

Every second tech professional in India believes they will need to pivot their careers at least three times to keep pace with the ever-changing technology landscape, finds a new study.As per the study commissioned by travel technology firm Amadeus, in collaboration with Opinium Research, 53% tech professionals plan to switch jobs within the next five years, and one in four would be willing to accept a pay cut to work for brands known for innovation and industry leadership, highlighting a shift towards valuing creative freedom and meaningful work over financial rewards.“The days when salary alone could attract and retain top talent are rapidly fading, and today’s tech professionals are demanding more — purpose, innovation, and continuous learning. Companies must now create ecosystems where employees are empowered to grow, experiment, and challenge the status quo,” said Mani Ganeshan, senior vice-president and head of APAC Engineering and Amadeus Labs India.“It’s no longer about offering just competitive compensation; the future belongs to organisations that invest in their people, foster inclusivity and provide the flexibility to thrive. Those who embrace this change will not only retain talent but will also lead the industry into its next evolution,” he said.Equitable workplaces are now critical factors in job search. Nine in 10 tech professionals who participated in the Amadeus survey say they prioritise an equitable workplace when choosing their next employer.Companies that actively embrace equitable workplaces foster inclusive environments, which lead to better innovation and collaboration, contributing to improved business outcomes. This trend signifies that an equitable workplace is no longer just a moral imperative but a business strategy that companies must invest in to remain competitive.Despite high satisfaction levels in certain areas — 70% of respondents express approval of the mental health and wellbeing support provided by their current employers, and 68% commend efforts to promote work-life balance — many professionals are seeking change.This suggests that while wellbeing initiatives are valued, companies must go beyond these measures and invest more deeply in fostering innovation, professional growth and flexibility to retain top talent.The study also highlights flexibility as a key driver of job satisfaction. Nearly half (48%) of the respondents say that flexible working options — whether remote work, adjustable hours, or hybrid models — are essential to their decision making.For today’s workforce, flexibility has moved from being a perk to a core expectation, the study said. Employers who do not offer flexible work arrangements risk losing top talent to competitors who understand the importance of autonomy and work-life balance.Opinium Research got responses from 2,200 technology professionals from eight markets – India, France, Spain, Turkey, Colombia, Philippines, USA, and the UK – in the third quarter of 2024 for this survey.