Latest news with #LakshmiMurdeshwarPuri
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
TMC MP Saket Gokhale extends apology to Ambassador Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri for labelling
New Delhi [India], June 10 (ANI): Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Saket Gokhale on Tuesday extended an apology for 'having put out a series of tweets against Ambassador Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri on June 13 and 23, 2021.' The TMC MP in a post on X clarified that his 'tweets' contained wrong and unverified allegations in relation to the purchase of property by Ambassador Puri abroad. 'I unconditionally apologise for having put out a series of tweets against Amb. Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri on 13th and 23rd June 2021, which tweets contained wrong and unverified allegations in relation to the purchase of property by Ambassador Puri abroad, which I sincerely regret,' the Rajya Sabha member said. This came after the Delhi High Court issued a notice to Trinamool Congress leader (TMC) and Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament, Saket Gokhale, directing him to explain why he should not face civil imprisonment for failing to apologise to former diplomat Lakshmi Puri over defamatory social media posts. Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora presided over the hearing of an execution petition filed by Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri, seeking enforcement of the final judgment and decree dated July 1, 2024. The ruling had mandated Gokhale to pay Rs 50 lakh in damages within eight weeks and publish a public apology both in a newspaper and on his X (formerly Twitter) account within four weeks. On April 24, 2025, the High Court had ordered the attachment of Gokhale's salary, amounting to Rs 1,90,000 per month, until the full decretal sum of Rs 50 lakh was realised. Senior Advocate Maninder Singh, representing Lakshmi Puri, highlighted that a coordinate bench hearing a contempt petition had, on May 9, 2025, directed Gokhale to issue the apology within two weeks as per the decree. Singh pointed out that this directive had neither been disclosed to the current Court nor challenged through an appeal, and more significantly, it had not been complied with. After hearing submissions from both sides, including arguments from Gokhale's Counsel, Naman Joshi, the Court noted that the Judgment Debtor appeared to be disregarding its directives and judicial process. The Court observed that despite granting additional time for compliance, Gokhale had failed to adhere to the decree dated July 1, 2024, as well as the subsequent order issued on May 9, 2025. In response, the Court issued a show-cause notice to Gokhale, requiring him to explain why he should not be sent to civil imprisonment. The Court further directed him to file a reply within a week. Lakshmi Puri was represented by Senior Advocate Maninder Singh, briefed by Karanjawala & Company. (ANI)
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Defamation case: Delhi HC refuses to accept TMC MP Saket Gokhale's sealed cover apology
The Delhi High Court has rejected Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale's sealed apology in a contempt case filed by Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri, citing his delay in complying with the court's order to issue a public apology and pay Rs 50 lakh in damages. NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court has refused to accept Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale 's apology in a sealed cover in a contempt plea filed by former diplomat Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri , noting that he had delayed compliance with its earlier order directing him to apologise publicly and pay Rs 50 lakh in damages. In its May 9 order, Justice Anish Dayal directed Gokhale to issue a public apology within two weeks — both on his X (formerly Twitter) account and in a prominent English daily — as originally decreed in July 2024. The court said it would not wait for the outcome of a potential appeal, remarking that the MP had 'tarried, lingered and procrastinated' in complying with the court's verdict. 'There is no reason why the court should take the apology in a sealed cover and then wait for the result of an appeal... the respondent has simply tarried, lingered and procrastinated,' the court noted. The court pointed out that despite more than 10 months having passed since the judgment, Gokhale had not secured any order staying the implementation of the verdict. It also highlighted that the statutory time to challenge the July 2024 ruling had lapsed, and his later plea seeking a recall was dismissed on May 2 with a detailed order. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Quote Undo 'The apology as directed by the judgment/decree shall be published within the next two weeks, in the manner decreed,' the court ordered, adding that Gokhale was a parliamentarian and a public figure who was expected to abide by judicial orders. The matter stems from a defamation suit filed in 2021 by Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri, a former Assistant Secretary-General at the United Nations and wife of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. She accused Gokhale of posting defamatory and unverified allegations about her financial dealings concerning a property she owns in Geneva. On July 1, 2024, the Delhi High Court had restrained Gokhale from making further such posts, ordered him to publish a formal apology, and directed him to pay Rs 50 lakh in damages — to be deposited within eight weeks. The apology was to remain pinned on his X account for six months. Gokhale later moved the court to recall the judgment and condone a delay of over 180 days in filing the appeal. Both requests were dismissed. On April 24 this year, a coordinate bench of the high court ordered attachment of a portion of Gokhale's MP salary to enforce the damages. In her contempt plea, Puri alleged that Gokhale had wilfully and deliberately defied the court's directions. Her counsel also pointed out that Gokhale continued to post defamatory remarks on social media, targeting not just her but also the court. The court had earlier observed that Gokhale's 'roving allegations' were 'extremely irresponsible' and appeared to target BJP leader Hardeep Singh Puri without any verification. The court said it would consider the question of wilful disobedience in detail after hearing both sides further. Puri, who initially sought Rs 5 crore in damages (to be donated to the PMCARES fund), had also asked for the removal of Gokhale's defamatory tweets.
