Delhi HC refuses to recall order directing TMC MP Saket Gokhale to pay Rs 50 lakh, apologise to ex-diplomat Lakshmi Puri

The court also rejected an application by Gokhale to accept the delay in filing his recall application, noting that Gokhale had failed to provide a justification for the delay.

Gokhale had contended that he was legally unrepresented when the order against him was issued.

The dismissal of Gokhale’s recall application adds to his troubles. Last week, on April 26, the Delhi High Court had directed for attachment of a portion of Gokhale’s monthly salary until he deposits Rs 50 lakh with the court in relation to a defamation suit where Gokhale was directed to pay Rs 50 lakh as damages to Puri.

In July 2021, the high court had passed an interim order, restraining Gokhale from posting any defamatory, scandalous or factually incorrect tweets against Puri or her husband, former diplomat and union minister for petroleum and natural gas Hardeep Singh Puri.

In her lawsuit filed in the high court, Puri had claimed that Gokhale, who posted certain tweets about her, 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”.

Gokhale, in his application, was seeking the recall of a July 2024 order where the court had directed Gokhale to apologise and pay Rs 50 lakh in damages. Gokhale was directed that the apology be posted in a newspaper as well as on his X handle, which should be retained for “six months from the date it is put out”, as well as be published in a leading English daily in four weeks. The damages should be paid within eight weeks, the high court had said.

Justice Kaurav, while dismissing Gokhale’s application, is learnt to have referred to the July 2024 judgment where it was recorded that a vakalatnama by the lawyers representing Gokhale was filed, and a written statement too was filed.