The Court passed the damages order in July 2024 after Lakshmi Puri filed a defamation suit against Gokhale for making allegations on social media in 2021 that she had purchased property in Switzerland disproportionate to her income.
NEW DELHI: On Friday, the Delhi High Court refused to cancel its earlier decision that had ordered Trinamool Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale to pay Rs. 50 lakh as damages to Lakshmi Puri, a former diplomat and wife of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, in a defamation case.
The Court passed the damages order in July 2024 after Lakshmi Puri filed a defamation suit against Gokhale for making allegations on social media in 2021 that she had purchased property in Switzerland disproportionate to her income.
In the present hearing, Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav dismissed Gokhale’s application to recall that order, which had been filed under Order IX Rule 13 of the Civil Procedure Code (CPC).
While pronouncing the decision, the Court told Gokhale’s lawyer:
“You argued very well but we cannot help you. We have to reject both your applications.”
Gokhale had claimed that he didn’t receive the court notice because it was sent to a different address. However, the Court found that his lawyer had already appeared in the case earlier and submitted a vakalatnama (formal document authorizing legal representation).
The Court made it clear:
“Once the defendant appeared in the matter, it is not incumbent on the court to serve again. Notice is served or not served does not make a difference then.”
The judge also highlighted that there was an unreasonable delay in asking for a recall of the judgment. The Court said:
“On July 2, 2024, [Gokhale] became aware of the judgment and decree passed. Despite such knowledge no action was taken until August 19 to challenge the judgment.”
In its final judgment in July 2024, the Delhi High Court not only directed Gokhale to pay ₹50 lakh as compensation, but also asked him to publish a public apology in The Times of India and on his X (formerly Twitter) handle.
As Gokhale did not comply with the judgment, Lakshmi Puri filed an execution petition in the High Court. On April 24, 2025, the Court ordered that part of Gokhale’s salary be attached to recover the damages.
The Court observed:
“Issue warrants of attachment as per Section 60(i) CPC with respect to the salary of Judgment Debtor which is stated to be Rs. 1,90,000 per month as per the reply affidavit of the judgment debtor dated 08.04.2025. The attached amount will be deposited with the Registrar General of this Court. The salary shall remain attached until the sum of Rs. 50 lakhs is deposited in this Court. The registry shall keep the deposited amount in an interest-bearing FDR.”
Additionally, Lakshmi Puri has also filed a contempt of court petition against Saket Gokhale, stating that he did not follow the directions issued in the July 2024 judgment.
ALSO READ: Rs 50 Lakh & Apology: Why Delhi HC Orders TMC MP Saket Gokhale in Defamation Case?
In the case proceedings, Gokhale was represented by advocates Amarjit Singh Bedi and Harsha Vinoy. On the other hand, Senior Advocate Maninder Singh appeared for Lakshmi Puri, supported by a legal team from Karanjawala & Company, including Meghna Mishra (Senior Partner) and advocates Palak Sharma, Shreyansh Rathi, and Rohit Kumar.
Case Title: LAKSHMI MURDESHWAR PURI v. SAKET GOKHALE
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