Guwahati, May 13: Senior Congress leader Ripun Bora on Tuesday accused Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of pursuing a “personal vendetta” against Congress national spokesperson Pawan Khera after the latter appeared before the Crime Branch at Pan Bazar Police Station in Guwahati for questioning.
Speaking to reporters, Bora said Khera appeared before the investigating officer as a “law-abiding citizen” in compliance with conditions linked to the bail granted by the Supreme Court.
“Pawan Khera has come and appeared before the Crime Branch because when bail is granted, there is a provision that the person has to cooperate with the investigation and appear before the concerned police station for interrogation,” Bora said.
Describing the questioning as part of the normal legal process, the Congress leader maintained that Khera was fully cooperating with the investigation and would be released after the interrogation.
However, Bora alleged that the matter had become an issue of personal prestige for the Assam Chief Minister.
“It is definitely personal vendetta because the Chief Minister has taken it as his personal issue. CM ordered the arrest of Pawan Khera for a very petty reason,” he alleged.
Bora further stated that while allegations can be made by anyone in a democracy, their validity is ultimately determined by the judiciary.
“Whether allegations are true or not will be ascertained by the competent court. But the CM took the matter personally and ordered his arrest,” he said.
Referring to the legal proceedings surrounding the case, Bora said that although relief was denied at earlier stages, the Supreme Court eventually granted bail to Khera.
“Ultimately, we got justice in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court saw the entire matter and granted bail,” he said.
The Congress leader also alleged that the Assam government could attempt to harass Khera through repeated summons and prolonged questioning sessions.
“He may be detained for five or six hours repeatedly and harassed, but beyond that the police cannot do anything. Police cannot arrest him in this case after interrogation,” Bora asserted.
The controversy relates to remarks made earlier by Pawan Khera, following which Assam Police registered a case and initiated legal proceedings against the Congress leader.
