Congress Targets Hardeep Puri Over Epstein Links, Seeks Immediate Resignation

The controversy surrounding Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and disgraced American financier Jeffrey Epstein has ignited a sharp political confrontation in India, after newly surfaced records from the so-called Epstein files triggered allegations and demands for accountability. The Congress party has accused Puri of misleading the public about his past interactions with Epstein and has called for his immediate resignation, while the minister has strongly denied any wrongdoing and described the charges as politically motivated.

At the centre of the dispute are documents linked to US investigations into Epstein’s sex trafficking network, which include email exchanges and references to meetings with influential global figures. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera claimed there were 62 email exchanges between Puri and Epstein between 2014 and 2017 , along with 14 meetings during that period. He questioned the purpose of these interactions and asked in what capacity Puri met Epstein in 2014, noting that some meetings occurred soon after the Modi government assumed office. The opposition has also raised concerns about whether discussions involved policy matters or influence.

The files comprise thousands of pages of records, including communications, travel logs and contact lists, assembled during criminal investigations into Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell . Since Epstein died in custody in 2019 , the documents have drawn global scrutiny, exposing the financier’s extensive network among political, business and diplomatic circles. Experts caution, however, that the appearance of a name in the records does not imply criminal involvement.

According to available records and media reports, some email exchanges involving Puri referenced promoting India’s investment climate and facilitating visits by global technology leaders, reflecting networking efforts common in international policy and business circles. Reports also indicate that Epstein frequently sought access to influential figures worldwide to expand his global connections.

Puri has acknowledged meeting Epstein on a few occasions but insists the interactions were strictly professional and unrelated to Epstein’s criminal activities. He has stated that the meetings occurred while he was associated with international policy forums and that he was a private citizen at the time, not a Union minister. Rejecting the allegations as “innuendo,” he argues that guilt by association is unfair and politically driven.

The Congress, however, maintains that the matter raises ethical and transparency concerns, intensifying its demand for clarification and accountability. The issue has quickly evolved into a political flashpoint, reflecting broader tensions between the ruling BJP and the opposition in the run-up to parliamentary debates.

The row also highlights the wider global fallout from the Epstein investigations, which continue to reverberate across governments and institutions. Epstein’s ability to cultivate relationships with powerful individuals worldwide has raised enduring questions about influence, access and ethical boundaries in elite networks.