‘Met Epstein Only as Part of IPI Delegation’: Hardeep Puri Rebuts Rahul Gandhi in Press Meet

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Wednesday strongly denied allegations made by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, who linked him to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, following an explosive address in the Lok Sabha.

Responding hours after Rahul Gandhi accused him of having met Epstein-who later became infamous for running a global sex trafficking racket and hosting elite gatherings-Puri dismissed the claims as misleading and politically motivated. Addressing a press conference, the minister clarified that his interactions with Epstein were strictly professional and occurred years ago in an official capacity.

Puri said he encountered Epstein only three or four times at most, and that too as part of a delegation linked to the International Peace Institute (IPI), where he previously worked. "My boss at the IPI knew Epstein, and I met him only on a few occasions as part of a delegation. Our interactions had absolutely nothing to do with the crimes he is accused of," Puri said.

The Union minister stressed that the meetings took place long before Epstein's criminal activities came to light and had no personal or social dimension. He accused the Congress leadership of distorting facts to create controversy, particularly at a time when Parliament debates have grown increasingly confrontational.

Rahul Gandhi's remarks in the Lok Sabha had triggered immediate political ripples, with the opposition sharpening its attack by invoking the Epstein Files. Puri's clarification is expected to be taken up by the ruling party as it pushes back against what it calls baseless insinuations aimed at tarnishing reputations.