Political tempers rose after the Bharatiya Janata Party alleged that senior advocate and former Union minister Kapil Sibal had received an award financed by convicted American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein at a function in the United States in 2010, prompting demands that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi clarify his party’s position. Sibal dismissed the charge as “rubbish”, while the Congress rejected the allegation and said he was not a guest of Epstein at the event in question.The accusation was made by BJP spokespersons at a press briefing, where they referred to media reports and documents linked to philanthropic events attended by Epstein during the period before his conviction became widely known. They contended that Sibal had accepted an honour at a gathering that was allegedly supported by funds associated with Epstein and questioned whether the Congress leadership would distance itself from the episode.
Sibal, who served in ministerial roles during the United Progressive Alliance government between 2004 and 2014 and later left the Congress, responded swiftly. He described the claim as baseless and politically motivated, asserting that he had no connection to Epstein and that any suggestion of impropriety was unfounded. Congress leaders echoed his remarks, maintaining that the event in question was organised by an independent body and that Sibal had attended in a professional capacity unrelated to Epstein.
Epstein, a financier who cultivated ties with political and academic figures across the United States and beyond, pleaded guilty in 2008 to state-level charges in Florida involving solicitation of minors. He was arrested again in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges and died in custody in New York. Investigations into his network of associates have since drawn scrutiny to a wide array of institutions and individuals, although the degree of involvement has varied significantly from case to case.
The BJP’s reference to a 2010 event appears to centre on philanthropic or policy forums held in the United States during a period when Epstein continued to move in elite circles despite his earlier conviction. Several prominent universities and non-profit organisations have faced criticism for accepting donations from him during that time. Political parties in India have previously cited those controversies when attacking rivals over alleged associations, even where links were indirect.
Congress officials argued that conflating attendance at a public event with endorsement of a particular donor was misleading. They said Sibal’s participation at international conferences over the years was consistent with his profile as a senior lawyer and policymaker, and that there was no evidence he had any dealings with Epstein. They further accused the BJP of attempting to distract from domestic political issues by reviving decade-old claims.
The episode unfolds against a backdrop of escalating rhetoric ahead of key electoral contests. Both the BJP and the Congress have sharpened their attacks, often drawing on international developments to frame arguments about probity and political ethics. Allegations relating to foreign funding, lobbying and overseas connections have become a recurring theme in campaign exchanges.
Legal experts note that establishing culpability in cases involving indirect funding requires clear documentation of knowledge and intent. Simply attending an event later found to have received controversial donations does not, in itself, constitute wrongdoing. However, political parties often use such associations to shape public perception, particularly when the figure involved has held high office.
Sibal, who has argued cases before the Supreme Court and has been associated with several high-profile constitutional matters, left the Congress in 2022 and has since positioned himself as an independent voice in parliamentary debates. His past tenure in government included portfolios such as Human Resource Development and Communications and Information Technology. That background has made him a visible target in partisan exchanges.
Rahul Gandhi has not issued a detailed public statement specifically addressing the allegation, though party representatives have reiterated that there is no substance to the charge. They emphasised that Sibal was not Epstein’s guest and that there was no financial relationship between him and the financier.
Observers say the controversy underscores how global scandals can reverberate within domestic politics years later. Epstein’s name continues to carry strong connotations given the gravity of the charges against him and the breadth of his former social network. For political actors, invoking that association can be a potent rhetorical tool, regardless of the factual nuances involved.