Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera, a Rajya Sabha member, attended the Assam Police Crime Branch in Guwahati regarding a defamation case filed by Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, the wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Khera, who had previously sought exemption due to health reasons and prior commitments, arrived from New Delhi as per the agency’s summons. He expressed compliance with the investigation, stating that he had informed the agency about his health issues and prior engagements.
The Crime Branch had instructed Khera to appear on July 17 after missing earlier scheduled hearings. Despite his absence on July 17, Khera had participated in the investigation on multiple occasions and faced questioning by Crime Branch officials. He also obtained interim protection from arrest from the Supreme Court in this case.
The case stems from allegations made by Riniki Bhuyan Sharma against Khera concerning statements made during a press conference and on social media. Sharma accused Khera of making defamatory remarks about her citizenship status, foreign passports, and financial interests abroad. The Assam Police registered an FIR under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita based on Sharma’s complaint, including charges related to cheating, forgery, using forged documents, making false statements, intentional insult, and defamation.
Khera had previously sought transit anticipatory bail from the Telangana High Court, which was later stayed by the Supreme Court. The Gauhati High Court had also denied his plea for anticipatory bail, emphasizing the need for custodial interrogation to verify the authenticity of the documents cited by Khera. Khera, after a lengthy interrogation at the Crime Branch office in May, reiterated his cooperation with the investigation and commitment to the legal process.
