GUWAHATI, April 7: The Crime Branch of Assam Police in Guwahati has registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Congress leader Pawan Khera and others following a complaint by Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, wife of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, alleging forgery, defamation and criminal conspiracy.
According to the FIR (No. 0004/2026) registered on April 6 at the Crime Branch Police Station, the case has been booked under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. These include sections related to forgery of documents and electronic records, use of forged material as genuine, defamation, criminal conspiracy, and acts intended to cause public mischief and disturb public tranquillity.
The complaint states that the allegations were made during two press conferences held on April 5—one at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi and another in Guwahati—where visual materials and promotional content were also circulated through social media platforms, including official Congress handles.
In her complaint, Sharma alleged that the presentations falsely claimed she held citizenship or passports from multiple countries, including Egypt and Antigua and Barbuda, along with a “Golden Card” of the United Arab Emirates. The complaint further stated that she was accused of possessing undisclosed foreign assets and links to a company in Wyoming, United States.
Rejecting the claims, Sharma described them as “false, fabricated and baseless,” and alleged that the documents displayed during the press events were forged, with fabricated seals and QR codes designed to resemble official records.
The FIR also refers to the use of promotional visuals and messaging aimed at amplifying the allegations and influencing public perception during the ongoing electoral period in Assam. It notes that the wide circulation of the material led to public reactions, including online harassment and reputational damage to the complainant and her family.
Police said the timing of the allegations, just days ahead of polling on April 9, raises concerns over their potential impact on public order and the electoral environment. The investigation has been assigned to senior police officials, with both digital and physical evidence set to be examined as part of the probe.
