The Ministry of Law and Justice twice declined to formally serve legal summons issued by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani, citing technical deficiencies, The Indian Express reported. The refusal led the SEC to approach a New York federal court, seeking permission to bypass standard procedures under the Hague Convention and serve summons through email. The regulator told the Eastern District of New York that service through the Hague Convention was unlikely, given India’s position and the time elapsed. The ministry reportedly rejected the request first in May 2025 and again in December 2025, despite the SEC arguing that the Hague Convention does not mandate seals or ink signatures. In its December response, the ministry cited US law to argue that the summons did not fall within permissible categories.

Source: Indian Express January 24, 2026 15:48 UTC