Guwahati: In a temporary relief to Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera, the Telangana High Court on Thursday granted him transit anticipatory bail for one week in connection with an FIR filed by Assam Police over allegations he made against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma.
Hearing Khera’s petition, Justice Sujana Kalasikam allowed him protection from arrest for a period of one week, enabling him to approach the appropriate court in Assam for regular anticipatory bail.
“The petitioner is granted time for one week to file an application before the concerned court. Granting relief to the petitioner for one week with conditions,” the court observed.
Khera had moved the Telangana High Court as he was in Hyderabad at the time he learnt about the FIR.
Appearing on his behalf, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued that the case filed by Assam Police was politically motivated and aimed at targeting a political opponent.
Singhvi contended that the FIR had been “loaded with every possible charge” to exert pressure on Khera. He further argued that even if Khera’s statements were incorrect, the matter would at most amount to defamation and did not warrant arrest. “Khera is not absconding. He is ready to cooperate. He came to this court only because he was in Hyderabad with his wife when he learnt about the FIR,” Singhvi submitted.
Opposing the plea, Assam Advocate General Devajit Saikia questioned the maintainability of the petition in Telangana. He argued that Khera, a resident of Delhi, had not provided sufficient justification for not approaching a court in Assam.
The case stems from allegations made by Khera on April 5, where he claimed that Riniki Bhuyan Sarma held multiple passports and owned foreign properties that were allegedly not disclosed in the Chief Minister’s election affidavit.
Following the remarks, Assam Police registered a case at the Guwahati Crime Branch Police Station under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including sections related to false statements in connection with elections and cheating.
Earlier this week, an Assam Police team visited Khera’s Delhi residence for questioning but could not locate him.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has defended the police action, stating that law enforcement was acting within its mandate. “If there is an FIR, it is the duty of the police to act on it,” he said, adding that the police would pursue the case in accordance with the law.
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