Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera arrived in Guwahati on July 23 to appear before the Assam Police Crime Branch in connection with the ongoing defamation case filed by Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Khera flew in from Delhi and reached the Crime Branch office after being summoned for questioning. His appearance came after he had earlier missed multiple scheduled dates, citing health issues and prior political engagements.
Speaking to reporters before appearing before investigators, Khera said he had responded to the summons issued by the Crime Branch. Explaining his earlier absence, he said he had informed the investigating agency about his health condition and party commitments.
“I had requested the Crime Branch as I was unwell and had party programmes. They accepted my request,” Khera said.
The Crime Branch had most recently directed Khera to appear on July 17 after he failed to attend earlier scheduled appearances. The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) had then stated that he was attending the Congress’ Chhatron Ki Goonj programme in Bengaluru, where Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi was scheduled to participate.
Although Khera did not appear on the latest scheduled date, he had previously appeared before the Crime Branch on two occasions and was questioned as part of the ongoing investigation. He has also secured interim bail from the Supreme Court in connection with the same case.
