Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale is facing legal action after failing to comply with a Delhi High Court order requiring him to pay damages and issue a public apology to former diplomat Lakshmi Puri.
In 2021, Puri filed a defamation case against Gokhale over social media posts alleging she purchased property in Switzerland disproportionate to her income.
Court’s Ruling In 2024
In July 2024, the High Court ruled in Puri’s favour, calling Gokhale’s allegations “incorrect, false, and untrue.” The court ordered him to pay Rs 7.5 crore in damages and publish a formal apology both in a newspaper and on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
Non-Compliance & Salary Attachment
Despite the ruling, Gokhale has neither paid the damages nor issued the apology. As there was no legal stay on the July 2024 order, Puri approached the court again to enforce the judgment. Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora questioned the delay and directed that part of Gokhale’s salary be attached under Section 60(1) of the Code of Civil Procedure.
The court noted his monthly salary is Rs 1.9 lakh and ruled that the attachment would continue until the full Rs 7.5 crore is deposited.
“Pending Appeal Not an Excuse”
Gokhale’s counsel told the court that a plea to recall the July 2024 order is pending, but Puri’s lawyer argued that the absence of a stay means the original judgment must be enforced.
“The decree has to be complied with. There is no stay,” said Senior Advocate Maninder Singh, representing Puri.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for May 28, as the legal battle over the defamation claim continues.
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