With more disclosures expected soon, the Jeffery Epstein episode highlights how even tangential links to international scandals can spark intense debate in India’s polarised political climate.
BY PC Bureau
December 18, 2025: The Jeffrey Epstein case—centred on the late financier and convicted sex offender’s vast network of powerful associates—has returned to global headlines in 2025 following fresh document releases and an impending deadline for further disclosures. While Epstein’s scandal has largely implicated political, business, and entertainment elites in the West, recently unsealed material has also made references to Indian personalities. This has triggered heightened interest and political sparring in India, with opposition parties and sections of the media closely scrutinising the mentions for possible implications.
The Epstein Files: A Brief Background
Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges. Since then, court records from related proceedings—including the defamation case involving his associate Ghislaine Maxwell—have been released in phases.
In 2025, the pace accelerated after U.S. congressional action, notably the House Oversight Committee’s release of thousands of pages in November, followed by legislation requiring the Department of Justice to make additional disclosures. As of mid-December 2025, the Trump administration faces a deadline—around December 19—to release more material, intensifying global anticipation.
The documents include emails, calendars, and communications that shed light on Epstein’s efforts to cultivate influence among global elites. Crucially, experts and court filings stress that mere mentions in the files do not imply wrongdoing; many references relate to invitations, self-promotion, or tangential geopolitical discussions.
Tangential References to Indian Figures
India’s interest stems primarily from a handful of references involving well-known Indian names:
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Hardeep Singh Puri: India’s Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas appears in 2014 emails exchanged between Epstein and former Obama White House Counsel Kathryn Ruemmler. Epstein listed “Hardeep Puree (India)”—a misspelling—among international figures he claimed were invited to events linked to the UN General Assembly and a climate summit. At the time, Puri was a BJP leader based in New York. Epstein’s calendar also records several purported appointments with Puri between 2014 and 2017.
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Other Mentions: Indian-origin author Deepak Chopra features briefly in a 2016 email exchange related to a withdrawn lawsuit. There are also references to correspondence with industrialist Anil Ambani concerning Modi-era geopolitical matters.
Credible reporting underscores that these references appear largely innocuous or one-sided. Epstein was known to exaggerate his access and to name-drop prominent figures to enhance his own stature. None of the released documents allege involvement by any Indian individual in Epstein’s criminal activities.
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Domestic Political Controversy
Despite the absence of incriminating material, the references have sparked political controversy in India. The opposition Congress party has demanded explanations—particularly from Minister Puri—describing the mentions as “serious” and questioning any association with a convicted offender.
The ruling BJP has dismissed the claims as baseless, arguing that the references amount to random name-dropping, highlighted by misspellings and the lack of substantive evidence. Meanwhile, social media has amplified speculation, with unverified claims circulating widely. Statements by some opposition figures suggesting far-reaching political consequences have further fuelled the debate.
Why the Keen Interest?
India’s close attention to the Epstein files is driven by several factors:
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Timing and Uncertainty: With more disclosures expected, there is speculation about whether additional Indian references may surface.
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Broader Implications: In an era of heightened transparency, even indirect associations with Epstein raise questions about elite global networks, particularly in the context of India-US relations.
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Political Polarisation: Opposition parties see an opportunity to challenge the government, while supporters frame the issue as exaggerated or politically motivated.
As the disclosure deadline approaches, India—like much of the world—awaits the next tranche of documents. So far, the available material suggests little more than Epstein’s habitual self-promotion. Yet in a charged political climate, even tenuous references continue to generate headlines and controversy.
