Courts overflooded: Delhi HC asks Lakshmi Puri, Saket Gokhale to resolve row
A bench of Justices Anil Kshetarpal and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar proposed a meeting to settle the matter after noting that Gokhle tendered an apology, which was accepted by Puri.
'You're in public life, respected public figures. If both parties can see sit together and try to resolve the dispute. Please take into consideration court are already overflooded," the bench said.
The court was dealing with Gokhale's appeal against a single judge's July 1, 2024 verdict restraining the TMC leader from publishing further on social media or any online platform against Puri.
The single judge directed him to apologise to her and pay Rs 50 lakh in damages.
The bench on Thursday noted that besides apology, property had also been attached in regard to the payment.
'Attachment to continue," the bench said.
Both senior advocate Maninder Singh, representing Puri, and senior advocate Amit Sibal, appearing for Gokhale, told the bench that they will talk to their clients and consider court's proposal of settlement. PTI UK AMK AMK
view comments
First Published:
July 24, 2025, 13:45 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
Probe Agency Restitutes Rs 380-Crore Assets In Bank 'Fraud' Involving Ex-MLA
New Delhi: Attached assets worth Rs 380 crore have been restored to a designated Maharashtra government authority for distribution to the about 5 lakh "duped" depositors of a cooperative bank, controlled by a former MLA, as part of a money laundering proceeding, the Enforcement Directorate said on Wednesday. The case pertains to the Karnala Nagari Sahakari Bank Ltd. in Panvel where it was alleged that its erstwhile chairman, Vivekanand Shankar Patil, in connivance with other officials of the bank, "cheated" the lender and "siphoned off" the funds for private investments. Patil, a four-time MLA of the Shetkari Kamgar Paksha Party, was arrested by the ED in June 2021. The money laundering case of the ED stems from a February 2020 FIR filed by the Pune Police Economic Offences Wing (EOW). The police alleged in its chargesheet that the then chairman Patil and other officials of the bank prepared 63 "bogus" loan accounts using "forged" documents without following the RBI guidelines and standard banking norms, and "siphoned off" Rs 560 crore for personal gains, the federal probe agency said in a statement. The ED said its probe found that funds were "diverted" to various entities "controlled" by Patil and his relatives. "He (Patil) purchased various properties and assets using the funds siphoned off from the bank and these proceeds of crime were utilised for the purchase of immovable properties at different locations in Raigad district of Maharashtra," it said. These assets, worth Rs 386 crore, were attached by the ED under two provisional orders issued in 2021 and 2023. The ED also filed a chargesheet in August 2021 before a special PMLA court in Mumbai. The ED said the liquidator appointed by the RBI for the bank filed an application, under section 8(8) of the PMLA, before the court seeking restitution of assets. The ED gave its consent, the agency said. The court issued an order on July 22 directing the release of the property -- Karnala Sports Academy at Panvel -- to the liquidator and to put it up for auction, the ED said. The court also ordered the Competent Authority (Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors) to "realise" the land at Posari, Raigad by auction for distribution amongst the depositors. "The bank had more than 5 lakh depositors having total deposits of Rs 553 crore, and they lost their hard-earned money. "In the larger interest of depositors and currently ongoing restitution efforts, ED took steps to expedite the process resulting in the restitution," the agency said. The PMLA provides for the process of restitution even before completion of the court trial in order to provide succour to the victims of frauds like bank loans and Ponzi scheme cheating. The fraud came to light after an audit was done at the instance of the Reserve Bank of India during 2019-20, when it was found that Patil was siphoning off funds from the bank through 67 "fictitious" loan accounts. The funds were sent to the loan accounts of entities/firms/trusts owned or controlled by Patil including Karnala Charitable Trust, Karnala Sports Academy and Karnala Mahila Readymade Garments Cooperative Society Limited, the agency had claimed in a statement issued in October 2023.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Citizens' welfare association demands municipal action on garbage charges and community centre access
Panchkula: A delegation from the Citizens' Welfare Association (CWA), Panchkula, met with municipal commissioner RK Singh to submit two memorandums addressing serious civic concerns. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The delegation raised objections to the "unauthorised" garbage charges being levied by the MC through property tax bills. "The increase in garbage charges is not only illegal and illogical, but also a cheating practice. Most residents who overpaid last year have neither received refunds nor any adjustments," said SK Nayar, president, CWA. "Official booklets issued during the tenure of former speaker and MLA Gyan Chand Gupta clearly stated that garbage collection from households was to be a free service, backed by a Rs 2.1 crore investment in vehicles and equipment. Public statements were also made by him affirming that residents were only responsible for segregating garbage, not paying for its collection," said the delegation. CWA demanded that MC should stop collecting charges from residents who do not use the service or who rely on private garbage collectors due to irregular or inconvenient MC operations. Residents in upper floors, senior citizens, patients, and working couples often face difficulty managing garbage due to inconsistent MC van timings, which they allege frequently operate after 2 pm or skip days altogether. The second memorandum addressed the lack of access to community centres. Many centres across Panchkula sectors have been occupied by govt departments, leaving local residents without essential space for events or gatherings. The CWA urged the MC to ensure fair allocation of rooms for RWAs and senior citizen groups; provide exemptions from charges for small functions like birthdays or condolence meetings; and review the current online booking system, which they claim is ineffective and inconsistent. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Concluding the meeting, the delegation demanded that no garbage charges be collected until the service is made reliable and efficient. They also called for immediate refunds of excess fee charged in the previous year and complementary room allotments for community use.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
KMC suspends 3 officials in Rs85L drainage scam claim
Kolhapur: Civic administrator K Manjulekshmi has suspended three Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) officials following allegations of their involvement in an Rs85 lakh scam related to drainage pipe laying work in the Badbade Mala area of Kasba Bawda. The suspensions come after former KMC corporator and Shiv Sena district coordinator Satyajit alias Nana Kadam on July 21 alleged that officials and a contractor colluded to submit fraudulent bills for uncompleted development work. Manjulekshmi has also formed a committee, comprising additional commissioner Shilpa Darekar and city engineer Ramesh Maskar, to investigate the matter thoroughly and submit a report within 48 hours. According to Kadam, the tender for laying drainage pipes was finalized in 2021 for an estimated cost of Rs2.4 crore. "A private contractor from the Kasba Bawda area was awarded the contract with an 18-month deadline. While the contractor submitted bills in five stages and received payment for four, a "fake Measurement Book (MB)" was prepared for the fifth bill without the completion of the remaining work. This allegedly led to the KMC disbursing approximately Rs85 lakh to the contractor based on these fraudulent documents," Kadam said. Replying to these allegations, the contractor concerned on July 26, via email, wrote to the chief minister, KMC administrator, district superintendent of police and the anti-corruption department, claiming that the bill has been taken as advance for the work done on the drainage pipeline. He also shared screenshots of the payments given to several KMC officials. After this, the KMC registered a case against the contractor, whereas an immediate inquiry was imposed against the civic officials concerned. The KMC, in a press release, said junior engineer, public works department assistant superintendent and senior clerk have been suspended. Manjulekshmi said, "The contractor has admitted in writing that he forged signatures. Therefore, Rs 85 lakh will be recovered from him. Also, criminal proceedings have been ordered in this case. The investigation of the officials, employees, bill approvers and others involved in this serious matter of fake bill approval and the entire process is ongoing."
