Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Apr 30: The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its judgment on a plea filed by Congress leader Pawan Khera seeking anticipatory bail in a case registered by Assam Police on a complaint by Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, wife of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
A bench of Justice JK Maheshwari and Justice Atul Chandurkar heard the matter after the Gauhati High Court rejected Khera’s anticipatory bail application, observing that custodial interrogation was necessary.
The case stems from allegations made by Khera that Riniki Bhuyan Sarma held multiple foreign passports and had financial interests abroad.
Appearing for Khera, Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued that the case largely pertains to defamation and does not warrant custodial interrogation. Questioning the need for arrest, he told the court that Khera is a public figure, not a flight risk, and is willing to cooperate with the investigation.
Singhvi also alleged that the apprehension of arrest was heightened by public remarks made by the Assam Chief Minister, claiming such statements were inappropriate for a constitutional office holder.
He further contended that most of the offences invoked are bailable and criticised the Gauhati High Court for referring to provisions not mentioned in the FIR and for making observations that, according to him, pre-judge the matter.
Opposing the plea, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Assam government, argued that the documents cited by Khera were “fake and forged” and that no such passports were issued by any authority. He maintained that custodial interrogation was essential to trace the origin of the documents, identify possible collaborators and examine any foreign links.
The state also argued that the case goes beyond defamation and alleged that Khera had been evading investigation since the FIR was filed.
The FIR, registered by the Guwahati Crime Branch, includes multiple charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including those related to forgery, cheating, use of forged documents, false statements linked to elections, and defamation.
Earlier, Khera had secured interim protection from the Telangana High Court, which granted him transit anticipatory bail for a week on April 10. However, the Supreme Court later stayed that relief and directed him to approach the appropriate court in Assam, following which the Gauhati High Court denied his bail plea.