The Telangana High Court on Friday granted one week of anticipatory bail to Congress leader Pawan Khera in a case linked to his allegations against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, offering him temporary protection from arrest.
The relief comes amid a sharp political confrontation triggered by Khera’s claims about passport and property disclosures, which have been strongly denied by the Sarma family and termed fabricated. The court’s order gives Khera time to approach the appropriate court for regular bail.
According to details shared by the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee legal cell, “Telangana High Court grants one week anticipatory bail to Congress leader Pawan Khera in FIR by Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma. The High Court grants 1 week to Khera to move before the concerned court.”
What the case against Pawan Khera is about
The case stems from Khera’s allegations that Riniki Bhuyan Sarma possesses three passports from India, the UAE and Egypt, and owns undisclosed luxury properties in Dubai, along with a company in Wyoming, US.
The Sarma family has rejected these accusations, describing the documents cited as “AI-generated fabrications” allegedly circulated through Pakistani social media networks.
The Assam Police registered a case against Khera under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including defamation, forgery and criminal conspiracy. A police team had also conducted searches at his Delhi residence earlier this week.
Court proceedings and legal arguments
The High Court order was pronounced by Justice K Sujana, who had reserved judgment a day earlier. Khera had sought transit anticipatory bail to enable him to approach courts in Assam.
Appearing for Khera, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued that the FIR was driven by political motives and loaded with multiple charges to exert pressure. He maintained that even if the statements were incorrect, the matter would fall under 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 said.
On the other hand, Assam Advocate General Devajit Saikia opposed the plea, questioning why Khera had approached the Hyderabad court instead of seeking relief in Assam despite being a Delhi resident.
Political reactions sharpen confrontation
Reacting to the developments, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier issued a strong warning, saying, “Before levelling an allegation, he should have asked the Foreign Minister. Kharge ji has aged, yet he speaks like a madman. Assam Police can find and bring people from ‘pataal’ as well. I suspect Rahul Gandhi has given him these documents. So this case will extend to Rahul Gandhi. Do not try to scare us. This is Assam, and we have fought against Islamic invasion 17 times.”
He also alleged that Khera had evaded police action, stating, “I have come to know through the media that the police have gone to his residence in Delhi, but he has run away to Hyderabad. The law will take its own course.”
Khera, however, has denied any wrongdoing and, in a video message, said he would continue to raise questions. “Instead of clarifying on grave allegations, you have unleashed your police. But we, the soldiers of Rahul Gandhi, won’t get cowed down,” he said.
Congress MP KC Venugopal, meanwhile, criticised the case, calling it politically motivated. “… Himanta Biswa Sarma has levelled false allegations against Gaurav Gogoi and his wife, time and again. He spreads baseless stories before elections. He never produces proof. Now he accuses Pawan Khera. This is nothing but witch-hunting. We will face it,” he said.