SC Stays Transit Bail to Pawan Khera in Assam Case

NEW DELHI, Apr 15: The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday stayed a Telangana High Court order granting one-week transit anticipatory bail to Congress leader Pawan Khera in a case linked to allegations against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife.

A bench of Justices J K Maheshwari and A S Chandurkar issued notice to Khera and others, seeking responses within three weeks on a plea filed by the Assam government challenging the high court order. The bench said the operation of the order would remain stayed and posted the matter for hearing after three weeks.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Assam government, argued that Khera’s move to seek relief from the Telangana High Court in a case registered in Assam amounted to “forum choosing” and an abuse of process.

The court, however, clarified that its order would not prevent Khera from approaching a competent court in Assam for anticipatory bail.

On April 10, the Telangana High Court had granted Khera one-week transit anticipatory bail, directing him to seek appropriate relief before the jurisdictional court in Assam.

The case stems from allegations made by Khera at a press conference claiming that Riniki Bhuyan Sarma held multiple passports and undisclosed foreign properties not declared in the chief minister’s election affidavit. The Sarma family has denied the claims as false and fabricated.

An FIR was registered at the Guwahati Crime Branch Police Station under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including sections related to false statements in elections and cheating.

Khera had also alleged ownership of luxury properties in Dubai and a company in Wyoming, claims dismissed by the Sarma family as “AI-generated fabrications” circulated online.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh termed the police action against Khera a “witch hunt.” (Agencies)