Supreme Court stays Telangana HC order granting bail to Pawan Khera over claims against Assam CM's wife
In a big setback to Pawan Khera, the Supreme Court has stayed the anticipatory bail order to the Congress leader given by the Telangana High Court.
The Supreme Court delivered a blow to Congress leader Pawan Khera as it stayed the anticipatory, protecting him from arrest, granted by the Telangana High Court in a case filed by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's wife Riniki Bhuyan Sarma.
The order came after the Assam Police challenged the interim bail, arguing that the Telangana High Court did not have jurisdiction in the matter. While staying the interim relief, the court said that Khera was free to approach a competent court in Assam for relief, and clarified that its order would not influence any such proceedings if the Congress leader chose to pursue them.
"If the petitioner applies for anticipatory bail before the court having jurisdiction in Assam, the order passed today will not have any adverse effect," the Supreme Court bench observed, affirming that legal options remain open for Khera in the relevant jurisdiction.
The FIR, lodged in Assam, came over Khera's claims that she held passports of multiple countries, triggering a political controversy before the assembly elections in the northeastern state.
About the case against Pawan Khera
On April 10, the High Court granted Pawan Khera one week’s transit anticipatory bail with certain conditions, allowing him time to approach the appropriate court for further relief.
Khera, who moved the High Court on April 7, listed his residential address in Hyderabad and sought protection from arrest.
The Congress leader had alleged during an April 5 press conference that Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, possessed multiple passports and foreign properties that were not disclosed in the Chief Minister’s election affidavit for the April 9 Assembly polls. The Sarma family dismissed the claims as false and fabricated.
Following the allegations, a case was registered against Khera at the Guwahati Crime Branch Police Station under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Section 175 for making false statements in connection with an election, Section 35 related to the right of private defence, and Section 318 for cheating.
Earlier, an Assam Police team visited Khera’s residence in Delhi for questioning, but did not find him there. Officials said a search was carried out at the premises, during which some “incriminating” material was allegedly recovered.