The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Friday demanded the immediate removal of Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri from the Union Cabinet, alleging his links to revelations emerging from what it described as the “Epstein Files.”
In a strongly worded press statement, the CPI(M) termed the contents of the files as “extremely repulsive and abhorrent,” claiming they expose a powerful international network of politicians, financial elites, technology leaders and celebrities associated with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
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“Extremely repulsive and abhorrent content of the Epstein Files is unravelling daily,” the party’s Polit Bureau said, alleging attempts by US authorities to suppress the facts. It asserted that “there is no iota of doubt about the aggressive criminal nature and impunity of the network involving the power elite… of which Epstein was the chief facilitator.”
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The Left party further alleged that “despite clear evidence of the involvement of Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas, and industrialist Anil Ambani, there is no attempt by the Union government to force explanation and ensure accountability.”
Accusing the Centre of stifling parliamentary scrutiny, the statement said, “The Union government has disallowed any discussion on the Epstein Files on the floor of the Parliament.” It also alleged that Mr Puri “has been caught lying in his own press conference” and claimed that “instead of being sacked, Hardeep Singh Puri is being protected by all devious means.”
Describing the issue as one affecting national credibility, the Polit Bureau said, “In these circumstances, the Prime Minister must remove Hardeep Singh Puri from the Union Cabinet to redeem national embarrassment and shame.”
The CPI(M)’s demand comes amid renewed global focus on documents and investigations linked to Epstein’s network, which have led to scrutiny and reputational fallout for public figures in several countries.
With opposition parties expected to raise the matter in Parliament and seek clarifications from the government, the controversy appears set to intensify in the coming days.
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