Fact Check: Hardeep Singh Puri–Epstein Link Explained, What’s True And What’s Not? Full Timeline

During a debate in the Lok Sabha on February 11, 2026, Rahul Gandhi linked the name of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri with Jeffrey Epstein, after which the atmosphere in the House changed.

Puri quickly held a press conference and rejected the allegations. After examining available information, this claim was rated as "half true" in a fact-check.

Jeffrey Epstein's name has long been associated with a global sexual exploitation scandal. Reports stated that Epstein operated a sex racket along with influential global leaders and business figures. Names of more than 80 political figures from several countries surfaced. In parts of Europe, the controversy even led to resignations.

Fact Check: Hardeep Singh Puri Jeffrey Epstein Lok Sabha allegation

In his speech, Rahul Gandhi claimed that Hardeep Singh Puri had met Jeffrey Epstein. The Congress side is linking this allegation to the 'Epstein files' and calling it a moral issue. The ruling side has taken a different stance, calling the allegations "baseless" based on Puri's clarification.

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, in a press conference, said Rahul Gandhi's allegations were misleading and politically motivated. According to Puri, any meeting with Epstein was related to official work. He stressed that these meetings had no connection with any illegal or criminal activity.

Fact Check: Hardeep Singh Puri Jeffrey Epstein professional meeting claim

Puri clarified that the meetings with Epstein took place during his tenure associated with the International Peace Institute (IPI). He said he was serving in an official role at the time, not as a private guest. Therefore, according to Puri, the contact was not linked to any social event or personal networking.

Hardeep Singh Puri said the meetings with Epstein were very limited. He stated that there were only a maximum of three or four meetings during his time at IPI. He said, "My boss at IPI knew Epstein, and I met him only on a few occasions as part of a delegation. Our conversations had absolutely nothing to do with the crimes he was later accused of."

Fact Check: Hardeep Singh Puri Jeffrey Epstein crime timeline

Puri also said that at the time of these meetings, many of Epstein's criminal activities were not widely discussed in India. The minister argued that the meetings were focused solely on professional agendas. He accused the Congress leadership of selectively presenting facts to create political controversy.

Following Rahul Gandhi's remark in the Lok Sabha, political activity intensified across corridors of power. The opposition called it a matter of moral responsibility and stepped up its attacks. The ruling side responded that Rahul Gandhi's comment was an attempt to damage reputations. The issue also dominated TV debates and discussions outside Parliament.

According to a report by NPR (National Public Radio), the first investigation against Jeffrey Epstein began in 2005. Palm Beach police registered a criminal investigation following a complaint by a 14-year-old victim. The victim stated that Epstein had behaved inappropriately under the pretext of a body massage.

On July 19, 2006, a Palm Beach County grand jury charged Epstein with a serious state-level offence. The charge was solicitation of prostitution, categorised as a state felony. As the investigation progressed, more allegations surfaced, including statements from minor victims.

On June 30, 2008, Jeffrey Epstein accepted state-level charges. In court, he pleaded guilty to solicitation of prostitution and solicitation involving a minor under 18. He was sentenced to 18 months and sent to a minimum-security facility.

On July 7, 2008, a victim identified as "Jane Doe" approached a federal court. She filed a lawsuit under the Crime Victims' Rights Act. The allegation was that victims were not informed that the case was being resolved through a plea deal. This objection raised serious questions about transparency in the case.

On July 22, 2009, Epstein was released from jail, despite an 18-month sentence. Reports stated that he spent about 13 months in prison. In September 2009, a Florida judge ordered that documents related to the non-prosecution deal granting federal immunity to Epstein be made public, after requests from victims and media organisations.

All these facts are taken from a report by NPR (National Public Radio America). The same report has been cited as the source.

Fact Check: Hardeep Singh Puri Jeffrey Epstein IPI tenure

Now, looking at Hardeep Singh Puri's tenure at the IPI: according to Puri's LinkedIn profile, he worked at the International Peace Institute as Vice President and Secretary General from June 2013 to March 2017. This period is stated to be about two years and ten months, during which Puri is said to have met Epstein.

Based on public records, Epstein pleaded guilty and was sentenced on June 30, 2008. By the time Hardeep Singh Puri assumed his position at IPI in June 2013, Epstein had already been released from jail nearly five years earlier. This time gap is being cited as a key argument in the political debate.

When facts are placed together, Rahul Gandhi's claim is correct to the extent that Hardeep Singh Puri met Epstein while at IPI. It is also a fact that Epstein had already served his sentence and been released. However, both sides differ on the nature and purpose of these meetings, and the controversy continues.

According to the fact-check, there is a partial match between the claim and the available information. The timeline of meetings and Epstein's criminal record is supported by documents. At the same time, Puri has described the meetings as strictly professional and denied any connection with criminal networks. Therefore, the claim has been rated as "half true."