Mahua Moitra asks why Puri is 'inviting fun' for Epstein
What's the story
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra has demanded clarification on the recent revelations in the Epstein Files, which mention Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. The files are a collection of United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and court documents detailing the networks of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In a post on X, Moitra asked, "What sort of 'fun' was he asking Epstein to have?"
Email revelation
Moitra shared email exchange between Puri, Epstein
Moitra also shared an image of a December 2014 email exchange between Puri and Epstein, which is part of the Epstein Files. In this communication, Puri confirmed speaking to Reid Hoffman, LinkedIn co-founder. Hoffman's name appears frequently in the files due to his professional ties with Epstein from 2013-2017. Elon Musk alleged on Monday that Hoffman used him as bait to lure him to Epstein's island in December 2014.
Twitter Post
Mahua Moitra's post detailing Puri's fresh mention in Epstein files
Epstein used Reid Hoffman as bait to lure him to island in Dec 2014 says @elonmusk
— Mahua Moitra (@MahuaMoitra) February 2, 2026
Modiji’s Minister spoke to Epstein about same Reid, same “exotic island” also in Dec ‘14. What sort of “fun” was he asking Epstein to have? Emails below. Answers? pic.twitter.com/1mqK2HNxTb
Initial mention
Puri's name first appeared in Epstein files in November
Puri's name first appeared in the Epstein Files on November 12, 2025, during a preliminary release of emails by the US House Oversight Committee. The mention was in a September 2014 email from Epstein to former White House Counsel Kathy Ruemmler, where he listed "Hardeep Puree (India) (sic)" among international figures invited to events during the UN General Assembly.
Further allegations
Moitra alleges threat by Puri
In her most recent post on social media, Moitra alleged that Puri asked her to delete her post, even implying that she could be targeted. She wrote, "Also do not appreciate @HardeepSPuri calling me to ask me to delete tweet & telling me if 'people' come after me now he won't be able to help it. I'll take my chances, Sir. Your thug armies don't scare me."
Twitter Post
Moitra's post alleging threat
Also do not appreciate @HardeepSPuri calling me to ask me to delete tweet & telling me if “people” come after me now he won’t be able to help it. I’ll take my chances, Sir. Your thug armies don’t scare me.
— Mahua Moitra (@MahuaMoitra) February 3, 2026
Party's response
BJP dismissed allegations as random name-dropping
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had dismissed the allegations as random name-dropping, asserting that Puri had "ZERO reference to supplying girls to anyone." At the time of the Epstein releases, Puri was not in public office. After retiring from the Indian Foreign Service in February 2013, he worked with New York's International Peace Institute till joining the BJP in 2014. He became a minister in Narendra Modi's government in September 2017.