Congress leader faces arrest risk after High Court rejection.
Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera suffered a significant legal blow on Friday as the Gauhati High Court rejected his request for anticipatory bail. Justice Parthivjyoti Saikia dismissed the petition related to a criminal case involving allegations of forgery and cheating. This ruling follows a high-stakes legal battle that traveled from Hyderabad to the Supreme Court before landing in Assam’s jurisdiction.
Legal Battle over Passport Allegations
The controversy began after Khera conducted press conferences alleging that Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, held multiple foreign passports and undisclosed overseas assets. Following these claims, the Guwahati Crime Branch registered an FIR under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. While Khera’s defence team, led by senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, argued the case was a product of political vendetta, the state prosecution maintained that the charges involved serious document fabrication.
Judicial Reasoning and Background
Earlier this month, the Telangana High Court had provided a brief reprieve by granting Khera transit bail. However, the Supreme Court stayed that order, directing the Congress spokesperson to seek relief directly from the competent court in Assam. The state’s Advocate General, Devajit Lon Saikia, argued during the proceedings that custodial interrogation was essential to investigate the source of the documents Khera cited, which the complainant’s family labels as "AI-generated fabrications."
Historically, legal disputes between high-profile political figures in Assam often see a flurry of FIRs across different districts, a tactic frequently criticised by opposition parties as an attempt to strain the legal resources of national leaders. This specific rejection places Khera in a precarious position, as the Chief Minister has already suggested that the leader should surrender to the law in Guwahati.
