In a setback to Congress leader Pawan Khera, the Supreme Court has put on hold the Telangana High Court’s order granting him transit anticipatory bail in a criminal case related to alleged defamatory remarks against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma. The apex court, led by Justices J.K. Maheshwari and N.V. Anjaria, issued the interim order while considering the Assam government’s challenge to the Telangana High Court’s April 10 decision. The order effectively cancels the interim protection from arrest that was previously given to Khera.
The Supreme Court clarified that Khera can still seek anticipatory bail from the court in Assam, where the FIR against him has been lodged. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Assam government, argued that the Telangana High Court did not have the jurisdiction to entertain Khera’s plea for transit anticipatory bail. Mehta emphasized that the offense occurred in Assam, and the FIR was filed there, indicating a clear lack of territorial jurisdiction.
During the hearing, it was noted that Khera had filed an application before the Supreme Court seeking an extension of the interim protection by three weeks. The Assam government had challenged the Telangana High Court’s decision to grant transit anticipatory bail to Khera for one week, allowing him time to seek regular bail from the appropriate court in connection with the FIR filed by Assam Police.
Khera had sought transit anticipatory bail from the Telangana High Court after facing allegations of making defamatory statements against Riniki Bhuyan Sarma. The case was registered by Assam Police. The allegations included claims that Sarma held multiple foreign passports, undisclosed luxury properties in Dubai, and shell companies in the United States.
