Assam News: The Supreme Court of India is scheduled to hear on Wednesday a plea filed by the Assam government challenging a Telangana High Court order that granted transit anticipatory bail to Congress leader Pawan Khera. The matter will be taken up by a bench comprising Justices J. K. Maheshwari and A. S. Chandurkar on April 15. The case has drawn significant political attention as it involves allegations linked to remarks made against the family of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Background: Allegations Against CM’s Wife Trigger Legal Battle
The legal dispute stems from allegations made by Khera during a press conference on April 5, where he claimed that Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, possessed multiple passports and foreign properties that were allegedly not disclosed in the election affidavit filed before the April 9 Assam Assembly polls. The Chief Minister and his family have strongly rejected these allegations, calling them false and fabricated, which led to the registration of a criminal case in Guwahati.
Telangana High Court Granted Limited Transit Protection
On April 10, the Telangana High Court granted Khera one-week transit anticipatory bail, allowing him temporary protection from arrest while directing him to approach the competent court in Assam for further relief. The court noted that the apprehension of arrest appeared reasonable and justified the need for interim protection. The order included conditions such as furnishing a personal bond of ₹1 lakh, cooperating with the investigation, and refraining from leaving the country without permission. It also restrained Khera from making public statements that could influence the investigation.
Assam Government’s Challenge and Ongoing Investigation
The Assam government filed its plea on Sunday through advocate Shuvodeep Roy, arguing that Khera had not justified seeking relief outside Assam and should have approached the jurisdictional court directly. The FIR registered at the Guwahati Crime Branch Police Station includes charges under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including false statements in election-related matters, cheating, and defamation. With both sides standing firm, the Supreme Court hearing is expected to be crucial in determining the scope of transit anticipatory bail and jurisdictional authority in politically sensitive cases.
