The Delhi High Court has encouraged Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Saket Gokhale and former United Nations Assistant Secretary-General Lakshmi Puri to resolve their defamation dispute amicably. The court highlighted that Indian courts are already overburdened with cases and urged both parties to consider an out-of-court settlement.
A division bench comprising Justice Anil Kshetarpal and Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar observed that since Gokhale had already apologized and Puri accepted it, the matter could be resolved through mutual discussion.
"You're in public life, respected public figures. If both parties can see, sit together and try to resolve the dispute… Please take into consideration courts are already over-flooded," the bench remarked.
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Background of the Case
The legal battle began after Saket Gokhale made allegations on Twitter regarding Lakshmi Puri and her husband, Union Minister Hardeep Puri’s assets, particularly a property in Switzerland. Puri filed a defamation suit, claiming the tweets were false and damaging to her reputation.
In July 2021, a single-judge bench issued an interim order directing Gokhale to remove the tweets and refrain from posting further defamatory content. Later, Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani ruled in Puri’s favor, ordering Gokhale to:
- Publish a formal apology in The Times of India and on his Twitter handle.
- Pay Rs. 50 lakh as damages to Lakshmi Puri.
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Gokhale has challenged the single-judge order, while Puri has sought execution of the court’s decree. A separate hearing is scheduled for September, where Gokhale must explain why he should not face civil detention for failing to publish the apology.
Senior advocates Maninder Singh (for Puri) and Amit Sibal (for Gokhale) assured the court they would discuss the settlement proposal with their clients.
This case highlights the growing trend of defamation lawsuits involving public figures and social media. The Delhi High Court’s push for settlement reflects the judiciary’s concern over excessive pending cases. If resolved, it could set a precedent for similar disputes in the future.
The next hearing will determine whether both parties agree to settle or proceed with further litigation.
Title: Saket Gokhale v. Lakshmi Puri