By Geetha VP & Nanditha Subhadra
The US Department of Justice’s unsealing of millions of pages from Jeffrey Epstein’s files in early 2026 has triggered a profound crisis in Indian politics. These documents expose repeated post-conviction interactions between the infamous sex trafficker and prominent Indians, including billionaire Anil Ambani—a figure long associated with Prime Minister Narendra Modi—and Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. Epstein’s boastful emails indirectly implicate Modi in diplomatic maneuvering, raising explosive questions about influence, favoritism, and moral compromise at the highest levels.
The government’s cursory dismissal via the MEA—labeling Modi references as “trashy ruminations by a convicted criminal”—is woefully inadequate. With Modi and the BJP maintaining stony silence, public distrust festers on social media. An immediate, independent probe—preferably judicial—is indispensable to authenticate the documents, probe their ramifications, and safeguard democratic integrity. Absent decisive action, these revelations threaten catastrophic political fallout for Modi and the BJP ahead of elections.
The core allegations revolve around 2017-2019 communications between Ambani and Epstein. Ambani solicited Epstein’s assistance in linking “Leadership” to Trump allies like Kushner and Bannon, while discussing Modi’s diplomatic calendar, including the pivotal July 2017 Israel visit—the first by an Indian PM, notably excluding Palestinians.
This trip aligned with a dramatic policy shift: India surged as Israel’s premier arms purchaser ($715 million). Epstein subsequently bragged in an email: “The Indian Prime minister modi took advice. and danced and sang in israel for the benefit of the US president… IT WORKED.!” Such lurid assertions have virally spread, sowing deep public suspicion.
Post-2019 election, Epstein facilitated discussions via Ambani on Modi’s China concerns and a potential Bannon meeting, declaring “modi on board” after Ambani’s assent. Compounding this is the Rafale scandal: Modi’s abrupt pivot from a 126-jet deal with HAL to 36 pricier units, funneling offsets to Ambani’s nascent Reliance Defence—formed days prior, sans expertise—amid enduring cronyism charges. Epstein ties now suggest potentially corrupt backdoor dealings.
Most scandalous, however, is Hardeep Singh Puri’s deep entanglement. The senior BJP minister, post-diplomatic career, repeatedly met Epstein at his New York townhouse (2015-2017) and emailed about Modi-government investments. Puri’s lame “strictly business-related” excuse is utterly indefensible and insulting to public intelligence.
Worse: Epstein sought Puri’s aid for a “quick visa” for his “assistant”—code for a female companion—in 2014. Did Puri, a high-ranking official, abet access for someone in Epstein’s predatory orbit? This is not mere poor judgment; it is a disgraceful, potentially criminal lapse that reeks of complicity and corruption.
Puri’s willful association with a convicted child sex offender exposes a depraved lack of moral fiber, egregious ethical bankruptcy, and utter unfitness for public office. No individual displaying such profound moral turpitude—fraternizing with a monster like Epstein—deserves a place in Modi’s cabinet, which claims moral superiority. His persistence in power is an affront to decency, eroding governmental credibility. Puri must face immediate suspension, rigorous investigation, and—if evidence warrants—prosecution and expulsion. Anything less signals hypocrisy and cover-up.
Congress and opposition forces are aggressively pursuing accountability, with leaders decrying “monsters” nearing Modi and risks of external sway. Parliamentary confrontations loom, potentially fueling nationwide campaigns depicting systemic vulnerability.
Modi’s contemporaneous Malaysia visit—amid escalating furor—revives accusations of strategic absences during crises, amplifying perceptions of evasion.
These verified DOJ files demand unflinching examination, Epstein’s exaggerations notwithstanding. Critical issues: Unauthorized diplomacy? Policy manipulation? Personal indulgences?
A robust probe affirms commitment to transparency, not guilt. Procrastination courts disaster: opposition narratives of compromised leadership could shatter Modi’s aura, handing electoral advantages to rivals.
For India’s stature and democracy, clarity is non-negotiable. Investigate comprehensively—now—before irreparable harm.
