Non-Compliance In 2021 Defamation Case: Former Diplomat Lakshmi Puri Moves Delhi HC Against TMC leader Saket Gokhale

Former Diplomat Lakshmi Puri on Monday has approached the Delhi High Court in relation to the earlier defamation case alleging that TMC leader Saket Gokhale failed to comply with earlier HC court order directing him to tender a public apology on social media platform X and pay Rs 50 lakh in damages.

Senior Advocate Maninder Singh appeared for Puri in this matter.

The HC bench of Justice Manmeet Arora has issued a notice on Puri’s plea seeking execution of July 1 order.

The July 1 order ruled Gokhle guilty of defamatory statements against Puri.

The Court has further directed Gokhale to file an affidavit within four weeks, detailing all his assets, properties, and bank accounts.

What is the Case?

In a 2021 defamation case, the Delhi High Court had ruled in favour of former diplomat Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri, wife of Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri.

The defamation suit was filed by Puri against Gokhale, alleging that his statements caused reputational damage.

As per July 1order, Gokhale to apologise to Puri, on his X handle, which should be retained for six months from the date it is put out as well as publish it in a leading English daily.

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