On December 23, 2024, the Delhi High Court addressed a petition by Lakshmi Puri, former Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations, alleging non-compliance by Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale with a prior court ruling in a defamation suit. Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora issued a notice to Gokhale, directing him to disclose all his assets, properties, and bank accounts within four weeks.
The defamation suit originated from tweets by Gokhale in June 2021, where he questioned the financial propriety of a property purchased by Puri in Switzerland. He insinuated that the funds used for the acquisition were of dubious origin and tagged prominent political figures, including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, seeking an investigation by the Enforcement Directorate. Puri contended that these tweets were defamatory, malicious, and aimed at tarnishing her and her husband, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri's reputations.
In July 2024, the Delhi High Court ruled in favor of Puri, directing Gokhale to pay ₹50 lakh in damages and issue a public apology. The court specified that the apology should be published in the Times of India and posted on Gokhale's Twitter handle, remaining there for six months. Despite acknowledging the judgment in a tweet dated July 2, 2024, where he expressed intent to appeal, Gokhale neither filed an appeal nor complied with the court's directives.
Senior Advocate Maninder Singh, representing Puri, highlighted Gokhale's non-compliance, emphasizing his awareness of the judgment and deliberate inaction. The court responded by issuing a notice in the execution petition and scheduled the next hearing for February 2025.
This case underscores the judiciary's commitment to upholding individual reputations against defamatory statements, especially in the digital age where information dissemination is rapid and far-reaching. The court's insistence on a public apology and substantial damages reflects the seriousness with which it views the harm caused by unfounded allegations.
The outcome of the forthcoming hearing will be pivotal in determining the enforcement of judicial decisions and the accountability of individuals in positions of influence. It serves as a reminder of the legal obligations that accompany freedom of expression, particularly concerning the dissemination of potentially defamatory content.
0 Comments
Thank you for your response. It will help us to improve in the future.