TMC MP Saket Gokhale Apologizes to Lakshmi Puri
Saket Gokhale, a Trinamool Congress (TMC) Member of Parliament, has publicly apologized to former diplomat Lakshmi Puri. This apology pertains to his 2021 tweets containing false and unsubstantiated accusations against Lakshmi Puri and her husband, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, regarding the purchase of property in Switzerland. The Delhi High Court found Saket Gokhale guilty of defamation and ordered him to pay ₹50 lakh in compensation and issue a public apology.
Details of the Case
In 2021, TMC MP Saket Gokhale posted several messages on his X (formerly Twitter) account, leveling serious allegations against Lakshmi Puri, a former diplomat and former Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations. Gokhale claimed that Lakshmi Puri and her husband had purchased an expensive apartment in Switzerland using allegedly improper means. He also demanded an investigation into the matter by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Lakshmi Puri vehemently denied these allegations, characterizing them as false and defamatory. She filed a defamation suit against Saket Gokhale in the Delhi High Court. The court heard the case and in July 2024, found Gokhale guilty of defamation.
Court Verdict
The Delhi High Court deemed Gokhale's tweets detrimental to Lakshmi Puri's reputation. The court issued several strict directives to Gokhale:
- Pay Lakshmi Puri ₹50 lakh in compensation.
- Publicly apologize, keeping the apology pinned to his X handle for six months.
- Publish the apology as an advertisement in a national newspaper.
- Refrain from posting any objectionable content against Lakshmi Puri on any social media or electronic platform in the future.
- The court's decision underscores the serious consequences of questioning someone's reputation without evidence.
Saket Gokhale's Apology
Following the court's decision, Saket Gokhale publicly apologized to Lakshmi Puri. He stated, "I unconditionally apologize for my tweets against Lakshmi Puri on June 13th and 23rd, 2021. These tweets contained false and unsubstantiated allegations regarding her property purchase abroad, for which I deeply regret."
He acknowledged that his tweets damaged Lakshmi Puri's reputation. This apology has been pinned to his X handle as per the court's order, and will also be published as an advertisement in a national newspaper.
Did Saket Gokhale Challenge the Court's Decision?
Yes, Saket Gokhale attempted to challenge the Delhi High Court's decision. He filed a petition seeking to overturn the verdict, but the court dismissed his plea. Subsequent delays in paying compensation and issuing the apology led the court to order the attachment of his salary. Following this action, Gokhale finally complied with the court's instructions and issued the apology. This case highlights the court's seriousness in addressing unsubstantiated accusations.
Who is Lakshmi Puri?
Lakshmi Puri is a prominent former diplomat who held significant responsibilities as an Assistant Secretary-General at the United Nations (UN). She is the wife of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. Lakshmi Puri has held several key positions throughout her career and maintains a reputation as a respected and professional individual.
