Delhi HC dismisses activist’s plea in Epstein-linked posts case, April 23 hearing scheduled

The Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed an activist’s appeal against an order directing him to remove social media posts linking Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri’s daughter , Himayani Puri , to convicted American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein , and referred the matter back to the single judge who issued the original order. The court advanced the next hearing to April 23 to decide whether to continue or vacate the interim injunction .

A bench of Justices Vivek Chaudhary and Renu Bhatnagar granted activist Kunal Shukla one week to file a reply and allowed a further week for rejoinder, emphasizing that the single judge must decide expeditiously without external influence.

Shukla challenged a March 17 ex parte injunction that restrained publication of posts linking Puri to Epstein, arguing the content was based on publicly available materials and raised issues of public importance . He contended the takedown constituted a pre-trial gag order , chilling free speech and investigative reporting. Senior Advocate Vikas Singh represented Shukla, while Senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani opposed the appeal, citing malice and perjury in the posts.

Puri’s defamation suit seeks Rs 10 crore in damages , an unconditional apology , and retractions. Her plea alleges a coordinated campaign of false, misleading and defamatory posts on X, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and other platforms since February 22, 2026, falsely suggesting she had direct or indirect business, financial, or personal links with Epstein. Court records and credible reporting, however, indicate that while Hardeep Singh Puri’s name appears in Epstein files in professional or diplomatic email correspondence, Himayani Puri is not mentioned , and no verified links exist.

The Epstein files , documenting investigations into sex trafficking by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell , have been widely discussed since Epstein’s death in 2019. No final decision has been issued, and the April 23 hearing will determine the fate of the interim injunction.