Delhi HC orders seizure of TMC MP Saket Gokhale’s salary

THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK

New Delhi, April 25: The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed the seizure of Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Saket Gokhale’s salary after he failed to comply with a previous court order to pay ₹50 lakh in damages to former United Nations Assistant Secretary-General Laxmi Puri in a defamation case.

The court, noting Gokhale’s non-compliance with its July 1, 2024, order, issued a warrant under Section 60(1) of the Civil Procedure Code (CPC) to attach his parliamentary salary, which amounts to ₹1.90 lakh per month. As per CPC guidelines, ₹1,000 and two-thirds of the remaining salary can be seized until the full penalty amount of ₹50 lakh is recovered.

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The court made it clear that the recovery will continue until the entire sum is deposited. It also highlighted that Gokhale had neither paid the penalty nor provided any valid explanation for his failure to do so.

Background of the Case

Laxmi Puri, a former senior diplomat and wife of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, had filed a defamation suit against Gokhale in 2021. She alleged that he made false and defamatory allegations about her personal finances and ownership of a property in Geneva, thereby damaging her reputation and goodwill.

In its judgment on July 1, 2024, the Delhi High Court found Gokhale guilty of defamation and directed him to:

• Issue a public apology,
• Pay ₹50 lakh in damages,
• Refrain from posting or publishing any defamatory material against Puri on social media or other electronic platforms.

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Gokhale’s Appeal Pending, No Stay on Current Proceedings

However, Gokhale has filed a petition seeking to reverse the decision, which is still pending before another bench.

The High Court clarified on Thursday that there is no stay on the current enforcement proceedings. Therefore, the salary attachment process will continue despite the appeal being pending before another bench.

This case also reinforces the enforceability of defamation-related decrees in civil court, especially when the respondent is a public figure.

The matter will now proceed as per the court’s recovery mechanism until the full compensation is paid.