The Delhi High Court Monday sought a response from TMC Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale in a contempt petition filed by former diplomat Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri against Gokhale for failing to comply with the court’s directions in a 2021 defamation suit by Puri.
In July this year, the Delhi High Court directed Saket Gokhale to apologise to Puri and pay Rs 50 lakh to her in damages. The court also directed Gokhale to post his apology on his X handle, saying it should be retained for “six months from the date it is put out”, and publish it in a leading English newspaper in four weeks. The High Court said the damages should be paid within eight weeks.
In July 2021, the High Court passed an interim order, restraining the Trinamool Congress leader from posting any defamatory, scandalous or factually incorrect posts against Puri or her husband, former diplomat and Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri.
In her lawsuit filed in Delhi High Court, Puri claimed that Gokhale had “tarnished her good name and reputation by making reckless and false allegations” in relation to her financial affairs in the “context of an apartment that she owns in Geneva, Switzerland”.
Arguing before the bench of Justice Manoj Jain Monday, Puri’s counsel informed the court that the July order has not been complied with to date, no apology has been issued and no payment of the damages. The counsel also pointed out that the non-compliance of the order persists despite Gokhale being “fully aware” of the directions that were issued by the court earlier. The counsel submitted that an execution petition has also been filed seeking recovery of damages.
On Monday, Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora took up the execution petition, and sought a response from Gokhale. Justice Arora kept the matter for further consideration on February 5.
Justice Jain also orally remarked, “…there has to be some apology unless he challenges it…”
Justice Jain issued notice to Gokhale on the contempt petition, seeking his response, and also recorded in the order that none appeared on behalf of Gokhale despite Puri serving the contempt petition to him in advance.
Justice Jain has kept the matter for further consideration on February 3.
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