Assam moves SC against bail relief to Pawan Khera over remarks on CM’s wife

New Delhi: The Assam government has approached the Supreme Court of India challenging an order of the Telangana High Court that granted one-week transit anticipatory bail to Congress leader Pawan Khera.

The case relates to allegations made by Khera against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma.

Filed on April 12 through advocate Shuvodeep Roy, the petition is expected to be heard this week. The high court had granted Khera interim protection on April 10, allowing him a week to seek relief from a competent court in Assam.

While granting relief, the court noted that Khera’s apprehension of arrest appeared reasonable but refrained from commenting on the merits of the case.

The bail came with conditions, including furnishing a personal bond of ₹1 lakh with two sureties, cooperating with the investigation, and appearing for questioning when required. He was also directed not to leave the country without court permission and to avoid making public statements that could affect the probe.

Khera has been asked to approach the appropriate court in Assam within the stipulated time.

The controversy stems from Khera’s April 5 claims that the chief minister’s wife held multiple passports and owned undisclosed foreign assets not mentioned in election filings for the April 9 Assembly polls.

Following the remarks, a case was registered against him at the Guwahati Crime Branch under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including sections related to false statements in elections and cheating.

Khera had moved the high court on April 7, listing his residence in Hyderabad, seeking protection from arrest.