Guwahati, April 24: The Gauhati High Court on April 24 rejected the anticipatory bail plea filed by Congress leader Pawan Khera in connection with an FIR lodged by Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, over allegations relating to her purported possession of multiple passports.
A single-judge bench of Justice Parthivjyoti Saikia delivered the order after reserving its judgment on April 21 following detailed arguments from both the prosecution and the defence. The court’s detailed order is awaited.
Appearing for Khera, Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued that the proceedings were politically motivated, referring to alleged statements made by the Chief Minister. He contended that the case reflected political vendetta, particularly in the context of elections. Senior counsel K.N. Choudhary supported this position, describing the allegations as “scandalous” and suggesting that, at most, the matter amounted to criminal defamation that should be pursued through a private complaint.
Opposing the plea, Assam Advocate General Devajit Lon Saikia submitted that the case involved more serious offences beyond defamation, including allegations of cheating and forgery related to documents and title deeds.
Earlier developments in the case saw the Telangana High Court grant Khera one week of transit anticipatory bail on April 10, enabling him to approach the appropriate court. However, the Supreme Court of India stayed this relief on April 15 following an appeal by Assam Police and declined to extend the protection, while clarifying that its interim observations should not influence the merits of subsequent bail proceedings.
The FIR, registered at the Guwahati Crime Branch Police Station, invokes multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including charges related to false statements in connection with elections, cheating, forgery of valuable security and public records, use of forged documents, intentional insult to provoke breach of peace and defamation.
The case stems from Khera’s public claims that Riniki Bhuyan Sharma holds multiple passports. As part of the investigation, Assam Police conducted searches in Hyderabad and visited Khera’s residence in Delhi earlier this month.
Khera, who serves as Chairman of the Media and Publicity Department of the Congress and is a member of its Working Committee, had approached the Gauhati High Court seeking pre-arrest protection in the matter.
