The Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed an application filed by Trinamool Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale seeking recall of a July 2024 judgment directing him to pay ₹50 lakh in damages to former diplomat Lakshmi Puri in a defamation case.

Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, delivering the ruling, told Gokhale’s counsel, “You argued very well but we cannot help you. We have to reject both your applications.”

The Court rejected Gokhale’s contention that notice in the suit was sent to an incorrect address, noting that his lawyer had appeared and filed a vakalatnama. “Once the defendant has appeared, it is not incumbent on the court to serve notice again,” the Court observed.

It also raised questions over the delay in seeking recall of the decree. “The defendant became aware of the judgment on July 2, 2024, but took no steps until August 19,” the Court said.

Lakshmi Puri, wife of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, had sued Gokhale in 2021 over tweets alleging her acquisition of disproportionate assets in Switzerland. In July 2021, the Court passed an interim order directing Gokhale to take down the tweets and refrain from further defamatory posts.

The July 2024 final judgment awarded ₹50 lakh in damages to Puri and directed Gokhale to publish a public apology in The Times of India and on his X (formerly Twitter) account.

Following the verdict, Puri initiated execution proceedings. On April 24, the High Court ordered the attachment of a portion of Gokhale’s salary—₹1.9 lakh per month—until the ₹50 lakh sum is deposited in court. The amount is to be held in an interest-bearing fixed deposit.

Additionally, Puri has filed a contempt petition against Gokhale for failing to comply with the Court’s previous directions.

Gokhale was represented by advocates Amarjit Singh Bedi and Harsha Vinoy, while Senior Advocate Maninder Singh, briefed by a team from Karanjawala & Co., appeared for Puri.