Shafiq Rahman : In January 2026, a high-level review committee in Bangladesh investigating power sector deals described corruption evidence in the Adani Power contract as “rare in international-level corruption cases”. The statement was made during a media briefing where the committee revealed findings of “serious irregularities” in the 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) between the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) and Adani Power.
Experts in London reportedly characterized the evidence as exceptionally rare because it included documented illegal transactions involving seven to eight individuals and financial dealings amounting to several million dollars. The committee found that the Adani deal created “heavy financial pressure” and was a primary driver for a 25% increase in electricity tariffs in Bangladesh.
The findings, including travel documents and proof of illegal transactions, have been handed over to Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The committee recommended initiating arbitration in Singapore to renegotiate or annul the contract.
These findings emerge alongside separate 2024-2025 U.S. indictments against Gautam Adani for a $250 million bribery scheme involving solar energy contracts in India, where U.S. prosecutors also cited “meticulously kept” digital records as key evidence.
Summit Group Mention
In the same briefing, the review committee noted that while the Adani deal was a “major financial burden,” the Summit Group had emerged as a “power giant” during the previous regime, benefiting from similar non-competitive power sector laws that the committee is currently reviewing for corruption
A 25-year power purchase agreement with India’s Adani Power has become a major financial burden for Bangladesh, while Summit Group has emerged as a “power giant” in the energy sector with the support of the ousted Awami League government, a national review committee has said.
The observations were made in the final report of the national committee formed by the interim government to review power sector contracts signed under special laws during the Awami League’s time in office.The report also said alongside Summit, contracts with Chattogram-based S Alam Group’s “SS Power” have forced the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) to pay large amounts in capacity charges every year despite not generating electricity.
The findings were presented at a media briefing at the capital’s Bidyut Bhaban on Sunday. The committee submitted its final report to Power and Energy Advisor Fouzul Kabir Khan on Tuesday.The committee said electricity prices have risen due to the Adani deal, creating heavy financial pressure on the government.
Committee member Moshtaq Hossain Khan, a professor at the Faculty of Law and Social Sciences at the University of London, said they had found “serious irregularities and evidence of corruption” in the Adani contract.
He said Adani should be informed of the findings and asked for an explanation, after which a prompt decision should be taken on arbitration proceedings in Singapore over to the contract. He said if there is a delay, the case will lose legitimacy, adding that experts in London had described the evidence as “rare in international-level corruption cases”.
Responding to a question, he said information had been found on illegal transactions involving seven to eight individuals linked to the contract, with financial dealings amounting to several million dollars.He said the information, along with related travel documents, has been handed over to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), which has already begun investigating the matter.
