New Delhi: Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, has confirmed that the Rs 50 lakh penalty imposed on RTI activist Saket Gokhale will be directed towards charity, as stated by his wife, Lakshmi Puri, in court.
In a recent interaction, Puri emphasized that the penalty amount, part of the settlement after Gokhale issued a public apology in a defamation case, is not a personal demand but a principled stand against reckless accusations.
“There are two aspects to it. One is an apology, and the other is the Rs 50 lakh he has to pay,” said Puri. “Let me underline this — the Rs 50 lakh is not a demand that my wife Lakshmi has made for herself. She has told the court that it will go to charity.”
Gokhale, who had earlier made claims about Lakshmi Puri’s foreign property holdings, was directed by the court to apologize and pay the penalty after failing to substantiate the allegations. However, his stance on payment has fluctuated.
“Now the court directs him to pay a certain penalty… He waivers at one stage, then creates ambiguity. One day he says he’ll pay. Other days, he says he won’t,” Puri noted.
The minister revealed that his wife had already initiated the process by depositing a smaller amount to facilitate the eventual transfer of the full sum to charitable causes.
“She made me sign a cheque for Rs 5 lakh… and I’m very happy with that amount I spent. She’s well-to-do, unlike me,” he joked, adding, “She can pay me that 5 lakhs later. I’ll give that to charity also.”
Despite Gokhale’s inconsistent approach to fulfilling the court’s directive, Puri stressed that the core concern is accountability.
“We want to ensure that this kind of behavior doesn’t go unchecked or unpunished. He was told either you apologize or face civil action, which includes imprisonment,” he said.
While parts of the matter remain sub judice, Puri was clear that justice must take its course. “Let him answer to the courts,” he concluded.
The case has reignited debates around responsible activism, misinformation, and the consequences of defamation in public life.
