Saket Gokhale, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha member, recently found himself embroiled in a legal controversy after the Delhi High Court issued a notice for contempt of court, demanding that he explain why he should not be imprisoned for failing to comply with a court directive. The case stems from defamatory posts Gokhale made in June 2021 about former diplomat Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri. Gokhale’s tweets falsely accused Puri of financial wrongdoing, claiming that she had purchased an expensive apartment in Geneva in 2006 with income that did not align with her salary.
Despite initially refusing to take responsibility, Gokhale was eventually forced to issue a public apology after the court mandated a ₹50 lakh compensation and an apology on social media and in a newspaper. Gokhale’s apology, which was released on the social platform ‘X ‘ stated, “I unconditionally apologise for having put out a series of tweets against Amb. Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri, which I sincerely regret.” This apology came after Gokhale repeatedly failed to comply with court orders and faced the risk of civil imprisonment.
— Saket Gokhale (@SaketGokhale) June 9, 2025
While this legal debacle marks a significant chapter in Gokhale’s public life, it is not an isolated incident. Gokhale’s history is steeped in misinformation, divisive rhetoric, and a series of legal entanglements that reflect a disturbing pattern of behavior aimed at destabilizing India’s social fabric. From accusations of financial mismanagement to attacks on the Hindu community, Gokhale’s career has been marred by allegations and accusations that paint him as a polarizing and controversial figure.
Misleading Campaigns over Morbi bridge Collapse & Arrest
Gokhale’s rise in politics was once seen as a move for greater transparency and accountability through RTI activism. However, it has since become increasingly clear that his public personality was built on a foundation of misinformation. One of the most infamous episodes of Gokhale’s misinformation campaign occurred in December 2022 when he was arrested by the Ahmedabad Cyber Cell. The charge? Spreading misinformation regarding the Morbi bridge collapse, an incident in which 135 people tragically lost their lives. Gokhale, without any verification, claimed that ₹30 crore had been spent on Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the site. This unverified tweet was quickly debunked by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), yet it led to a series of criminal charges against him for defamation, forgery, and creating public panic.
Crowdfunding or Con? ED Arrest for Financial Fraud Behind Activism
In another controversial incident, Gokhale was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in January 2023 on charges of money laundering. According to the ED, Gokhale had diverted over ₹1 crore raised through crowdfunding campaigns meant for public interest causes, using it for personal expenses and investments. The investigation revealed that Gokhale had received a sum of ₹23.5 lakh from an aide of Rahul Gandhi, ostensibly for social media consulting, without any formal documentation to justify the payment. This arrest added to a growing list of criminal cases against Gokhale, revealing a disturbing pattern of self-serving behavior under the guise of activism.
COVID Claims and Vaccine Lies: Peddling Panic During National Crisis
These criminal cases, however, are not the only troubling aspect of Gokhale’s career. His statements have frequently stirred controversy, particularly when it comes to religious and national matters. In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Gokhale made wild allegations about Bharat’s vaccine export practices. He claimed that the country was exporting COVID-19 vaccines nearing expiry, suggesting that Bharat was offloading useless stock to other nations. His unsubstantiated claims were quickly debunked, and it was revealed that the vaccines had been produced as early as October 2020 and were extended for use based on further stability testing.
Baseless Blame: Reckless Allegations Linking RSS to Embassy Blast
Even more concerning were Gokhale’s divisive remarks on national security. In 2021, following a blast near the Israeli Embassy in Delhi, Gokhale rashly suggested that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) might be responsible for the attack. His comments were made without evidence and were widely criticized as politically motivated speculation. Such irresponsible statements not only misled the public but also created unnecessary fear during a sensitive international situation.
Targeting Hindus Abroad: Attacks on Hindu Traditions using Brahminism
Saket Gokhale’s animosity toward Hindu beliefs, traditions, and symbols is yet another disturbing aspect of his public personality. One of the most inflammatory incidents occurred during the 2022 Leicester violence in the United Kingdom, when Gokhale appeared to blame Hindus for the violence against their own community. Rather than condemning the attacks on Hindu temples and community members, Gokhale suggested that the world should recognize the “potency of saffron terror and Hindu extremist groups.” His statement was widely condemned for being one-sided and inflammatory, especially when it was Hindus who were primarily targeted in the attacks.
In July 2021, Gokhale took to Twitter to use Brahminism for his narrative of disparaging Hindu customs. He was quick to defend a Muslim woman’s right to marry within her faith, yet when Brahmins followed similar customs, he deemed it regressive. His repeated derogatory remarks on Hindu customs and traditions painted a troubling picture of his disregard for religious sensitivities and his habit of targeting Hindu practices
Obstructer of Hindu traditions & Case against Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur
Further intensifying his anti-Hindu narrative, Gokhale attempted to block a Mata Jagran celebration in Lucknow in November 2024. He claimed that the religious event disturbed his mother, who was reportedly ill. However, residents of the area rejected his explanation, arguing that the sound from the event site was hardly audible from his residence, which was over 300 meters away. Gokhale’s action led to accusations of religious intolerance, and many saw it as yet another example of his consistent efforts to obstruct Hindu traditions.
In another controversial move, Gokhale filed a police complaint against BJP MP Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur in December 2022, accusing her of inciting communal violence through her statements about Hindus protecting themselves. While many viewed her comments as a defensive response to the increasing attacks on Hindus, Gokhale’s complaint seemed aimed at stoking division and targeting those who stood up for their religious rights.
Undermining India’s Global Image: False Claims on National Security & G20 Preparations
Gokhale’s attacks were not limited to religious matters. His anti-national rhetoric, particularly concerning Bharat’s international relations, national security and internal affairs, has attracted significant criticism. Gokhale tried to discredit Bharat’s national security measures by dismissing warnings issued by terrorist groups like the TRF against the Amarnath Yatra in 2022. He claimed that the threat was fabricated by the BJP’s online army. This downplaying of security threats during a sensitive period showed Gokhale’s reckless approach to national security.
Gokhale’s misinformation campaign also extended to the 2023 G20 Summit, where he falsely claimed that the Indian government had purchased ₹400 crore worth of bulletproof Audi cars for the event. The claim was swiftly debunked by the PIB, which clarified that only 20 cars had been leased, not purchased, and at a significantly lower cost. Gokhale’s refusal to retract his misleading claim only served to exacerbate the situation.
Legacy of Legal Battles: Misinformation, Intolerance, & Political Theatre
Gokhale’s career has been marked by a series of legal entanglements that reflect a growing disregard for the rule of law. From his involvement in crowdfunding scams to spreading defamatory content and misinformation, Gokhale has built a reputation for legal defiance. His most recent defamation apology, after a long legal battle, is just the latest in a string of controversies that have plagued his public life.
The series of legal cases, his involvement in spreading misinformation, and his antagonistic stance toward Hindu traditions and Bharat’s sovereignty reveal a troubling pattern of divisiveness and opportunism. Despite his public apologies and legal settlements, Saket Gokhale’s actions continue to tarnish his reputation and raise questions about his integrity as both an activist and politician.
