The Gauhati High Court denied senior Congress leader Pawan Khera’s anticipatory bail request related to an FIR filed by Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife, concerning multiple passports. Justice Parthivjyoti Saikia, on Friday, dismissed the plea after a hearing that included arguments from both sides. The court is yet to release a detailed judgment on the matter.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Khera, contended during the hearing that the case was politically driven and linked to statements attributed to the Chief Minister. Singhvi emphasized that Khera did not pose a flight risk and questioned the need for custodial interrogation, suggesting that the allegations might amount to criminal defamation at most. Another senior counsel, Kamal Nayan Choudhury, echoed these sentiments, labeling the charges as “scandalous” and suggesting they were maliciously framed.
Assam Advocate General Devajit Lon Saikia opposed the bail plea, arguing that the case involved serious offenses like cheating and forgery, including the alleged fabrication of documents and title deeds, necessitating custodial investigation. The legal proceedings have a convoluted history, with Khera initially receiving transit anticipatory bail from the Telangana High Court, which was later stayed by the Supreme Court following a challenge by Assam Police. Despite subsequent pleas, the apex court did not extend interim protection, emphasizing that earlier orders should not influence the Assam court’s decision on the bail application.
Khera sought anticipatory bail from the Gauhati High Court after the Supreme Court’s ruling. The FIR, filed at the Guwahati Crime Branch Police Station, invokes various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including charges of false statements, cheating, forgery, and defamation. Earlier searches at Khera’s Delhi residence and a visit to Hyderabad by Assam Police are part of the investigation into Khera’s claims against the Chief Minister’s wife regarding multiple passports.
