By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: Congress leader Pawan Khera appeared before the Assam Police’s Crime Branch in Guwahati on Wednesday for questioning in a case related to allegations involving Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
The dispute began after Khera raised claims about multiple passports and alleged foreign assets linked to Riniki Bhuyan Sarma. She rejected the allegations, describing them as untrue and politically driven.
Following this, the Crime Branch filed a case against Khera, including charges such as defamation, forgery, and criminal conspiracy.
The matter has been under judicial consideration across several courts. Khera was granted interim transit bail by the Telangana High Court on April 10, 2026. The Supreme Court later asked him to approach the appropriate court in Assam on April 17.
His request for pre-arrest bail was rejected by the Gauhati High Court on April 24, while the Supreme Court granted anticipatory bail on April 30, noting concerns raised about the political context of the case.
Although protected from arrest under the bail order, the investigation remains active and Assam Police continue their inquiry.
Outside the Crime Branch office, Congress legal representative Reetam Singh said Khera had come to cooperate with the investigation after being called in by authorities. He added that Khera arrived with his legal team and is participating in the questioning process.
He further said the officials are examining the basis of the allegations and the supporting material presented by Khera. He also noted that with the Supreme Court granting bail, arrest is not expected.
Senior Congress leader Ripun Bora, who also visited the Crime Branch office, said Khera complied with legal requirements by joining the investigation after the Supreme Court’s order. He added that Khera had travelled from Delhi for the questioning and would leave after it concluded.
Bora also made political remarks during his interaction, saying the issue had become personally significant for the Chief Minister and referring to ongoing legal matters related to alleged hate speech.
He added that despite political pressure, Assam Police had not arrested Khera and stressed that the Supreme Court’s bail order should be followed.