Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has come under political scrutiny after photographs purportedly showing him with Jeffrey Epstein circulated on social media. The images have renewed questions about Puri’s past interactions with the American financier and his explanations regarding their meetings.

On February 11, 2026, Puri addressed the issue by acknowledging that he had met Epstein on a limited number of occasions. He estimated that the meetings took place “three or maximum four” times, explaining that they occurred in the context of a delegation.

Puri also maintained that his interactions with Epstein were unrelated to the criminal allegations associated with the financier. He previously clarified that he had not held private meetings with Epstein independently and said the interactions took place before he joined the Union Cabinet in 2017.

The photographs have since attracted attention online, with Opposition leaders questioning Puri about his association with Epstein and seeking further clarity about the circumstances surrounding their meetings. The controversy has added to political scrutiny of public figures whose names or images have surfaced in discussions about Epstein’s contacts.

However, the origin and authenticity of the photographs currently circulating on social media have not been independently verified. The images alone do not establish the circumstances in which the individuals met or indicate any involvement in criminal activity.

Epstein, a wealthy American financier, was a convicted sex offender whose case involved serious allegations of sexual abuse, including offences involving minors. His connections with influential people across politics, business and other fields have continued to attract public attention.

Documents and records associated with Epstein have generated widespread interest because they may shed light on his relationships, activities and the circumstances surrounding allegations made against him. However, appearing in a photograph, contact record or other document connected to Epstein does not, by itself, establish wrongdoing.

The questions directed at Puri focus on the nature and timing of his interactions with Epstein, as well as the explanations he has provided. Puri has said the meetings were limited, took place as part of a delegation and occurred before he entered the Union Cabinet.

As the issue continues to circulate online and draw political reactions, distinguishing verified information from unconfirmed claims remains important. The photographs’ provenance has not been established, and no conclusion about wrongdoing can be drawn from their circulation alone.