Pawan Khera Seeks Anticipatory Bail In Assam FIR Over Remarks Against CM Sarma’s Wife
Pawan Khera seeks anticipatory bail in Gauhati High Court after Supreme Court declined protection in Assam FIR case.
Congress leader Pawan Khera on Monday approached the Gauhati High Court seeking anticipatory bail in connection with a case registered against him in Assam over alleged defamatory remarks concerning the wife of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. According to details available on the court’s official website, the petition was filed and registered on April 20, and is expected to be listed before an appropriate bench for hearing. The move comes as Khera seeks legal protection from arrest following recent developments in the case.
Earlier, the Supreme Court of India declined to grant him continued protection from arrest and refused to extend the duration of his transit anticipatory bail. In its April 17 order, a bench comprising Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Atul S. Chandurkar observed that Khera was free to approach the competent court in Assam for relief, adding that any such application should be decided independently on its merits.
The apex court had also stayed an earlier order by the Telangana High Court that had granted Khera interim protection. The court noted concerns that the plea before the Telangana High Court appeared to rely on questionable documents to establish jurisdiction, leading to the withdrawal of interim relief.
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Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Khera, had argued before the Supreme Court that the earlier order was passed without hearing all parties and requested an extension of protection to allow time to approach the appropriate forum. However, the plea was not accepted.
The case originates from a First Information Report filed by Assam Police under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including charges related to defamation, forgery, and criminal conspiracy. The complaint is linked to allegations made by Khera against Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, in which he claimed she possessed multiple foreign passports and undisclosed overseas assets. With the matter now before the Gauhati High Court, the case is set to proceed through the judicial process, with the court expected to determine whether Khera should be granted anticipatory bail based on the evidence and arguments presented.
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