New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has granted anticipatory bail to Pawan Khera in a case filed by Assam Police over allegations concerning Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife.
The order came a day after a bench comprising Justices J K Maheshwari and A S Chandurkar reserved its verdict on Khera’s plea for anticipatory bail. The case relates to claims made by Khera alleging that the chief minister’s wife held multiple passports and owned undisclosed properties abroad.
Representing Khera, senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi argued that the allegations should be tested during trial and that arresting his client would be both unnecessary and humiliating. He said many of the charges are bailable, while others do not warrant custodial interrogation, adding that denying anticipatory bail would undermine its purpose.
Opposing the plea, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Assam government, argued that Khera had circulated fabricated and doctored passport documents of the chief minister’s wife. He also claimed that Khera had been evading authorities while continuing to post videos, and insisted that the allegations of multiple citizenships were baseless.
The case stems from complaints filed by Riniki Bhuyan Sharma at the Guwahati Crime Branch under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, naming Khera and others.
Khera had earlier challenged an April 24 order of the Gauhati High Court that denied him anticipatory bail. Before that, the Telangana High Court had granted him a seven-day transit anticipatory bail.
However, Assam Police moved the Supreme Court against that relief, prompting the apex court to stay the transit bail and direct Khera to approach the Gauhati High Court for appropriate relief.
