The Epstein Files, being declassified by the US Justice Department, are not just an exposé of a criminal scandal; they raise serious questions about the transparency, accountability, and power structures of modern democracies. Six years after the death of Jeffrey Epstein—a name synonymous with financial opulence, political influence, and an international network of sexual exploitation—his documents are being released. These files are all the more significant because they reveal how power, capital, and secretive networks influence democratic institutions from within.
In November 2025, the US Congress passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Under this, more than 3.3 million pages had been made public by January 2026. These include email correspondence, flight logs, contact lists, financial transactions, and internal reports from investigative agencies. The documents reveal references to political, business, and diplomatic circles not only in the US but also in several other countries. India’s name has also emerged in these contexts, further intensifying the debate.
Jeffrey Epstein’s network was no ordinary crime. Many influential people around the world have been accused of involvement in a web stretching from New York to Florida and the Caribbean islands. The files remained sealed for years after his mysterious death in a US prison in 2019. However, pressure from victims, media scrutiny, and judicial intervention forced the government to make them public. The first batch, released in July 2025, revealed several names linked to the Ghislaine Maxwell trial. References to Trump, the Clintons, and the British royal family were already in the news, but the new documents have now spread the debate globally.
The allegations and claims related to India naturally created a stir in political circles. It is no longer a secret how sections of the Indian opposition behave to discredit the nation. In that context, files that include indirect references to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, some emails related to industrialist Anil Ambani, and the name of former diplomat Harsh Puri obviously raise questions and point, in the eyes of critics, to the American deep state’s efforts. Surprisingly, some email communications from 2017 also indicate that Epstein was consulted on US diplomatic appointments, international meetings, and influence-building—something that seems almost beyond imagination. In one email, Epstein even claims to have played a role in influencing US leadership during India-Israel diplomatic dialogue.
The Indian government has dismissed these claims as completely baseless and rubbish. This is understandable, as such allegations are serious in any democratic system. But the question remains: if the allegations are false, why avoid an independent and transparent investigation? In a democracy, a government’s credibility is established not through mere denial, but through inquiry and accountability.
This controversy is not limited to India. In the US, the Trump administration has been accused of unnecessarily delaying the release of documents and attempting to conceal certain portions. Republican Congressman Thomas Massie and several Democratic leaders have called for judicial oversight. This demonstrates that even the world’s oldest democracy is not immune to the conflict between power and transparency.
The debate deepens in the context of Indian democracy. Our political system already faces criticism for proxy leadership, corporate influence, and opaque decision-making processes. Women have received 50% reservation in the Panchayati Raj system, yet in many places real power still remains in the hands of proxy men. This is not just a local-level problem, but reflects a broader trend in the power structure—where informal networks often make decisions behind formal democratic institutions.
The Epstein Files are a global manifestation of this trend. Democracy shines on the surface, but underneath lies a game of connections, money, and secrecy. In India, questions raised over issues such as the Kohinoor controversy, the Rafale deal, or electoral bonds have led to a growing crisis of trust. When transparency is incomplete, rumours and suspicion naturally flourish.
These files expose the nexus between capitalism and power on a global scale—an elite sphere where the law often appears lax and influential figures escape accountability. This is a warning for emerging democracies like India. Our economy is rapidly advancing in the era of globalisation—foreign investment, start-up culture, and international partnerships are on the rise. But are our institutions strong enough to withstand hidden webs of influence?
This issue is also politically significant. Such revelations could influence political discourse ahead of the 2029 general elections. It is the opposition’s duty to raise questions, but it is even more important to ensure serious and factual debate in Parliament. The Supreme Court should, if necessary, take suo motu cognisance to maintain institutional trust.
The path to solutions is clear. First, independent and impartial investigations into all matters related to India—free from political interference. Second, regular public disclosure of foreign contacts of persons holding constitutional positions and senior officials. Third, further strengthening the Right to Information and ensuring complete transparency in political funding. It is also important to make cyber and financial transparency agenda items at international forums such as the G20.
The Epstein Files are not just the story of one person or one scandal. They show that the true test of democracy lies in questioning power. But critics also argue that such revelations can be prepared with hidden agendas to destabilise democratically elected governments. Whether the indirect references to India—and to Prime Minister Narendra Modi—are part of such a design remains a matter of intense political debate, especially given past agitations such as the farm laws protests, the Shaheen Bagh blockade, and the agitation against the CAA, which the government maintains were linked to national security concerns.
If questions are suppressed—whether valid or justifiable—the mirror of power becomes blurred. Accountability at every level—from Anganwadi workers in rural India to Parliament and global forums—is the lifeblood of democracy.
If reforms are implemented in time, democracy will be strengthened. Otherwise, secrets, networks, and opacity will continue to erode democratic institutions from within.
Power should be accountable—this is the basic mantra of the republic.
