Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 17: The Supreme Court on Friday refused to vacate its stay on the Telangana High Court’s order granting transit bail to Congress leader Pawan Khera in a case registered in Guwahati over alleged objectionable remarks against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma.

A bench of Justices JK Maheshwari and Atul S Chandurkar ruled that Khera remains liable to arrest by Assam Police, while allowing him to move an anticipatory bail plea before the Gauhati High Court.

The apex court also directed the Gauhati High Court to decide any bail application strictly on merits and without being influenced by its observations. It further pulled up Khera for submitting incorrect documents, including an incorrect Aadhaar number.

The court, however, declined a request for interim protection till Tuesday. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Khera, said the anticipatory bail plea would be filed in the Gauhati High Court on Monday.

Singhvi also expressed concern over the refusal of immediate relief, remarking during the hearing, “Am I a terrorist?”

The case stems from a press conference on April 4, during which Khera allegedly made claims regarding the Assam Chief Minister’s wife holding multiple passports and owning undisclosed assets abroad. The allegations were strongly denied by the Sarma family, who termed them “AI-generated fabrications”.

Earlier, the Telangana High Court had granted Khera transit anticipatory bail for a limited period to allow him to approach the competent court in Assam. However, Assam Police challenged the order in the Supreme Court, leading to the current proceedings.