Guwahati: Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday criticised the Assam Police search at party leader Pawan Khera’s Delhi residence, calling it a “witch hunt” and alleging that it reflected Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s “desperation” ahead of the elections.
The remarks came after Assam Police visited Khera’s residence in the national capital earlier in the day in connection with a case linked to allegations made against the chief minister’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma.
The case follows an FIR lodged by Riniki on Monday over claims that she holds multiple foreign passports — allegations that have been denied by her and the chief minister.
Reacting to the police action, Ramesh said the deployment of Assam Police to question Khera over what he described as “basic questions in the public interest” showed that the chief minister was “disturbed, desperate and rattled”.
“This is not due process but instead a witch hunt, a bully using state machinery to muzzle and silence the voice of the Opposition that is exposing his many black deeds,” Ramesh said in a social media post.
“Those who intimidate are the ones who are afraid and have much to hide. It also proves that the CM is facing imminent defeat,” he added.
Earlier in the day, Assam Police said Khera was not present at his Delhi residence when officers arrived and that efforts were underway to locate him.
Speaking to reporters outside the residence, a police official said a case had been registered and that the team wanted to question Khera. The official also said some materials had been found at the premises, but declined to disclose details.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, speaking on the sidelines of a campaign event in Demow in Sivasagar district, alleged that Khera had “fled” Delhi.
He also claimed that the allegations made by Congress leaders had been found to be false.
“It has been proven that all the documents are fake. Egypt has said that it’s a fake passport. Dubai has echoed a similar response. The United States has confirmed that there are no assets owned by Riniki in the country. So, it’s all fake,” Sarma said.
The controversy erupted after Khera accused Riniki Bhuyan Sarma of holding multiple foreign passports, a charge strongly denied by the chief minister and his family.
Congress leaders, including Gaurav Gogoi and Pawan Khera, have also raised questions over alleged foreign assets and links involving the chief minister’s family.
Those allegations have been rejected by the chief minister and his family, with Riniki terming them “baseless”.