The Telangana High Court on Thursday reserved the verdict on the anticipatory bail hearing of Congress leader Pawan Khera after the Advocate General of Assam sought time to present arguments in the case.
Assam police filed an FIR against Khera over his allegation that CM Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife holds multiple passports.
Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) Legal Cell advocate Ponnam Ashok Goud alleged that authorities acted with unusual urgency, claiming that a police team was dispatched to Delhi within 24 hours in connection with the case.
The Congress leader, anticipating possible arrest, approached the court seeking legal protection, Goud said, adding that the petition was filed to safeguard his rights.
During the hearing, questions of jurisdiction were also raised. The respondent’s counsel argued that the petition should have been filed in either Delhi or Assam, rather than Telangana. A final decision in the matter is expected soon.
The developments come amid an escalating political dispute between the Congress leader and the Assam Chief Minister. Khera recently accused Sarma of corruption in a video shared by the Congress party, challenging him to respond to the claims.
The controversy has intensified following allegations by the Congress that the Chief Minister’s wife holds multiple passports. The issue gained further traction after Sarma’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, filed an FIR earlier this week, prompting police searches at Khera’s residence in Delhi.
Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma criticised Khera, referring to him as “bhagora,” an “absconder,” and dismissing his allegations. He said, “Where is this Congress party? Which Congress party? I have not even heard about it. Who is Pawan Khera? He is a ‘bhagora’ (absconder). Why do I need to reply to him?” said CM Sarma.