Guwahati: The Telangana High Court on Friday, April 10, allowed Congress leader Pawan Khera temporary anticipatory bail for a period of one week in a case linked to an FIR lodged by Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, over allegations concerning possession of multiple passports.
Justice K Sujana said in the order that the petitioner has been allowed one week to move the concerned court for further relief, subject to certain conditions.
The detailed order from the court is still pending publication.
Khera had approached the High Court in Hyderabad, citing his residence in the city. During the hearing held on Thursday, the Advocate General of Assam, Devajit Saikia, representing the state police, questioned the jurisdiction of the petition and argued that it should have been filed in Assam.
He submitted that Khera is based in Delhi and had not provided any valid justification for not seeking relief from courts in Assam. He further stated that there was no medical urgency preventing him from doing so and added that an anticipatory bail application could be filed in Assam from anywhere in the country.
The Advocate General also described Khera as a potential flight risk, alleging that he had moved locations when police attempted to contact him. He further argued that Khera’s shifting between cities suggested he might evade legal proceedings if necessary.
On the other side, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Khera, contended that the case was driven by political motives and lacked genuine legal basis.
As per case details, the FIR includes multiple charges under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including allegations related to false statements during elections, cheating, forgery of records and documents, insulting behaviour, and defamation. The case was registered at the Crime Branch Police Station in Guwahati.
A team from the Assam Police, on Tuesday, travelled to Hyderabad in Telangana as part of efforts to locate Pawan Khera.
Khera has alleged that Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, wife of the Assam Chief Minister, possesses three passports.
Reports further suggest that law enforcement officials had earlier conducted a search at his residence in Delhi as well.
Khera serves as the Chairperson of the Congress party’s Media and Publicity Department and is also a member of the Congress Working Committee.