Gauhati High Court Reserves Order On Pawan Khera’s Anticipatory Bail In Assam Case

The Gauhati High Court on Tuesday reserved its order on a plea filed by Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera seeking anticipatory bail in connection with a criminal case registered in Assam. The case stems from allegations made against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, regarding purported overseas assets and multiple passports.

The matter was heard for nearly three hours in the court of Justice P.J. Saikia, with senior advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi and K.N. Choudhury representing Khera, while Advocate General Devajit Saikia appeared on behalf of the State of Assam. The court did not pronounce its order on Tuesday and is not expected to do so on Wednesday, according to legal sources.

Khera’s plea for anticipatory bail is linked to a criminal complaint filed by Riniki Bhuyan Sharma following press conferences held on April 5 in New Delhi and Guwahati. During those briefings, Khera alleged that Sharma held multiple passports issued by countries including the UAE, Egypt, and Antigua and Barbuda, and also claimed she had ownership of properties in Dubai and interests in shell companies.

Also Read: Supreme Court Rejects Extension Of Anticipatory Bail For Congress Leader Pawan Khera

In response to these allegations, Sharma filed criminal cases against Khera and others at the Guwahati Crime Branch police station, invoking multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The charges include sections related to cheating, forgery, defamation, and statements allegedly made with intent to disturb public peace or influence electoral processes.

Following the FIR, Assam Police attempted to question Khera at his residence in Delhi on April 7, but he was not present. He subsequently moved the Telangana High Court seeking transit anticipatory bail, which granted him interim protection for a limited period. However, Assam Police challenged the order in the Supreme Court, which stayed the Telangana High Court’s decision on April 15.

The Supreme Court later clarified that Khera could approach the appropriate court in Assam for relief without the interim stay affecting consideration of his plea. His subsequent request to vacate the stay was also rejected, with the apex court directing him to pursue remedies before the Gauhati High Court, leading to the current proceedings.

Also Read: Pawan Khera Seeks Anticipatory Bail In Assam FIR Over Remarks Against CM Sarma’s Wife