Delhi HC Orders Takedown Of Posts Linking Hardeep Puri's Daughter With Jeffrey Epstein

New Delhi: Delhi High Court on Tuesday granted interim relief to Himayani Puri, Union Minister Hardeep Puri's daughter, seeking removal of online content linking her with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The court ordered the immediate removal of online content, observing that a prima facie case had been made in her favour.

What did the Delhi High Court say?

The Delhi High Court ordered the immediate removal of online content linking Himayani Puri with Jeffrey Epstein, observing that a prima facie case had been made in her favour.

While hearing a plea filed by Himayani Puri, Justice Mini Pushkarna ordered social media platforms like Twitter, Google, YouTube, Meta and LinkedIn to take down the allegedly defamatory content against her within 24 hours.

The court also said that if the content is not removed immediately, intermediary platforms must ensure its removal within 24 hours or block access to such content.

During the hearing, the court also said that Himayani Puri has a prima facie case in her favour and she will suffer irreparable injury if interim relief was not granted.

What did the court say during the hearing?

"Considering that the matter regarding injunction at global level is subject matter of Division Bench, orders in that regard may not be passed. It is directed that the directions passed today are to be followed within India jurisdiction, Indian domain. The present injunction order operates within Indian domain wrt videos and content uploaded within Indian jurisdiction and from IP addresses within India. In so far as URLs and links uploaded from outside India, defendants are directed to block access from being viewed in India," Justice Pushkarna said.

The hearing is now listed for August 7.

Himayani Puri, who is a resident of New York, has filed the defamation suit seeking Rs 10 crore in damages, an unconditional apology, and a full retraction.

Appearing for Himayani Puri, counsel said, "I am a financial fiduciary and banker and investor there, so there is a global reputation to protect. The actual nature of false imputation is association with a convicted criminal. I have none. I am a victim of an attack because I am the daughter of a cabinet minister. I suspect political malice."