The Supreme Court of India is set to hear on Wednesday a plea filed by the Assam government challenging a Telangana High Court order that granted one-week transit anticipatory bail to Congress leader Pawan Khera.
A bench comprising Justices J K Maheshwari and A S Chandurkar will take up the matter on April 15. The case is linked to allegations made by Khera against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma.
Earlier, on April 10, the Telangana High Court had granted Khera limited transit anticipatory bail for one week, allowing him time to approach the appropriate court in Assam for further relief. The court had imposed several conditions, including cooperation with the investigation, appearing before authorities when required, and not leaving the country without prior permission.
The Assam government moved the apex court through advocate Shuvodeep Roy, seeking to challenge the relief granted to the Congress leader.
The case stems from statements made by Pawan Khera during a press conference on April 5, where he alleged that Riniki Bhuyan Sarma possessed multiple passports and foreign properties that were not disclosed in the Chief Minister’s election affidavit. The allegations were strongly denied by the Sarma family, who termed them false and fabricated.
Following the remarks, a case was registered against Khera at the Guwahati Crime Branch Police Station under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including charges related to false statements in connection with elections and cheating.
In its order, the Telangana High Court had observed that Khera’s apprehension of arrest appeared reasonable based on the material on record, thereby justifying the grant of interim protection. It also directed him to refrain from making public statements that could influence the ongoing investigation.
The upcoming hearing in the Supreme Court is expected to determine the validity of the interim relief and the course of further legal proceedings in the matter.
