Congress leader Pawan Khera is facing a legal setback with the Supreme Court’s refusal to extend his anticipatory bail (File photo)
The Supreme Court has refused to extend the transit anticipatory bail earlier granted to Congress leader Pawan Khera by the Telangana High Court, reported news agency ANI. Khera had sought relief till Tuesday to allow him time to approach a competent court in Assam in connection with a case accusing him of making false allegations against the wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma.
Pawan Khera should surrender: Himanta
After the the Supreme Court’s order, Himanta said Khera should surrender to the Assam Police. “I think Pawan Khera should surrender before the law. The more he runs from the law, the more his problems will increase. He should come to Guwahati and surrender there,” Himanta said while speaking to mediapersons.
‘Protection shouldn’t influence Assam court’s decision’
A bench comprising Justices JK Maheshwari and Atul S Chandurkar, however, clarified its earlier order that had stayed the one-week transit bail granted by the Telangana High Court. The bench underscored that neither the high court’s order granting interim protection nor the Supreme Court’s stay should influence the Assam court that will hear Khera’s anticipatory bail plea.
The court said that any application for anticipatory bail must be assessed independently on its own merits, without being affected by prior judicial orders. It further noted that Khera is free to move the appropriate court. In case the court is not functioning, he may approach the registry, which will proceed in accordance with the law.
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Why was Pawan Khera booked?
The FIR against Pawan Khera was filed by Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, following a press conference where Khera levelled serious allegations of financial and legal misconduct. Khera claimed that Riniki Bhuyan held three foreign passports (from the UAE, Egypt, and Antigua and Barbuda) and owned undisclosed luxury properties in Dubai.
He further alleged that Chief Minister Himanta had failed to disclose these international assets in his election affidavits. Riniki Bhuyan rejected the claims as “malicious” and “poorly fabricated using AI”. She also filed an FIR in Guwahati, Assam, on charges of defamation and forgery.
Following the FIR, a team of the Assam Police conducted a search at Pawan Khera’s Delhi house. But he was in Telangana at the time.
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The Assam Police later challenged the Telangana High Court’s order granting Khera one week of transit anticipatory bail from April 10, subject to conditions, including approaching a competent court in Assam for relief.
