The Delhi High Court on Tuesday sought the response of Himayani Puri, daughter of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, on a plea by an activist alleging links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The court issued notice to Puri, returnable in two weeks, while hearing a petition filed by social activist Sushil Pandit.
Court Proceedings
Senior counsel representing Himayani Puri submitted before the court that the allegations against her are 'completely false, reckless and malicious'. The lawyer argued that the petition is based on unsubstantiated claims and aims to malign her reputation. The bench, comprising Justice Rajiv Shakdher and Justice Amit Bansal, directed Puri to file her response within two weeks.
Background of the Case
The activist's plea seeks a court-monitored probe into the alleged links between Himayani Puri and Epstein, who died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. The petition claims that Puri's name appeared in Epstein's contact list, which surfaced during investigations. However, no evidence of wrongdoing has been presented.
Legal Arguments
During the hearing, the petitioner's counsel argued that the matter involves serious implications and requires judicial scrutiny. The court, however, observed that the allegations need to be substantiated. The next hearing is scheduled for May 2026.
Himayani Puri, a businesswoman, has not commented publicly on the matter. Her father, Hardeep Puri, is a Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas and Housing and Urban Affairs. The case has drawn significant media attention due to the high-profile nature of the Epstein case.
