Delhi High Court Orders Saket Gokhale to Apologize and Pay Damages in Defamation Case

The Delhi High Court has mandated Trinamool Congress leader Saket Gokhale to issue a public apology within a week to former diplomat Lakshmi Puri. This directive follows a contempt petition filed against Gokhale by Puri, stemming from his failure to adhere to a prior court ruling issued on July 1, 2024.

Lakshmi Puri initiated a defamation lawsuit against Gokhale in 2021 after he tweeted about her property purchase in Switzerland. The Delhi High Court found Gokhale's tweets defamatory, echoing Shakespeare's Othello to underscore the damage inflicted on Puri's reputation.

Gokhale appeared in court earlier this year due to the contempt proceedings. Justice Anish Dayal ordered Gokhale to compensate Puri with Rs 50 lakh, apologize publicly on his social media, and ensure the apology is visible for six months. The apology must also be published prominently in The Times of India, and Gokhale is to avoid further defamatory remarks.

A separate bench had previously ordered the attachment of Gokhale's salary to ensure the Rs 50 lakh damages are paid. The court will address the issue of wilful noncompliance at the next hearing. Gokhale's appeal to recall the damages order was dismissed, reinforcing the penalty.

This case traces back to Gokhale's 2021 tweets questioning Puri's assets and calling for an investigation. The High Court, in a prior decision, deemed the tweets defamatory, leading to interim measures against Gokhale, which he failed to comply with, culminating in the contempt petition.

(With inputs from agencies.)