Court allows interim protection, asks Congress leader to approach appropriate court amid jurisdiction debate
Guwahati: The Telangana High Court on April 10 granted interim anticipatory bail for one week to Congress leader Pawan Khera in connection with a case registered by the Assam Police over allegations involving the wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
The relief was provided by Justice Sujana Kalasikam, who allowed Khera temporary protection from arrest and granted him time to approach the competent court for further legal remedy. The court observed that the petitioner could move the appropriate jurisdiction within a week, subject to certain conditions.
The case stems from a complaint filed by Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, following Khera’s allegations regarding her alleged possession of multiple passports. Based on the complaint, an FIR was registered at the Guwahati Crime Branch Police Station under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
Section 175 – False statement in connection with an election
Section 35 – Right of private defence of the body and of property
Section 318 – Cheating
During the hearing, the Assam government’s counsel questioned the maintainability of the petition in Hyderabad, arguing that Khera should have sought relief in Assam. It was also submitted that there was no legal or medical constraint preventing him from approaching courts in the state. Concerns were raised about him being a potential flight risk, with claims that he had changed locations when police attempted to reach him.
Countering this, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Khera, argued that the case was politically motivated and lacked substantive legal grounds.
Khera had approached the Telangana High Court citing his residence in Hyderabad. Meanwhile, Assam Police teams had reportedly travelled to Hyderabad and earlier conducted searches in Delhi as part of the investigation.
With this interim relief, Khera has a one-week window to seek anticipatory bail before the appropriate court in Assam. The case continues to draw attention amid escalating political tensions between the BJP and the Congress.
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