Investigations – Telangana High Court Grants Interim Relief to Pawan Khera
Investigations – The Telangana High Court on Friday provided temporary protection to Congress leader Pawan Khera by granting him anticipatory bail for a limited period of one week. The relief comes in connection with a case filed by Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, following allegations related to possession of multiple passports.
Court Allows Time to Seek Regular Relief
Justice K. Sujana, while hearing the matter, permitted Khera to approach the appropriate court within a week for further legal remedies. The court’s order clarified that the interim protection would remain in effect for seven days, subject to certain conditions.
Khera had filed the anticipatory bail plea in Hyderabad, citing his residential presence in the city. The court accepted the plea for interim consideration, allowing him temporary legal cover against arrest.
Assam Government Questions Jurisdiction
During the proceedings, the Assam government strongly contested the maintainability of the petition in Hyderabad. Advocate General Devajit Saikia, representing the Assam Police, argued that Khera is primarily based in Delhi and should have approached courts in Assam instead.
He stated that there was no compelling reason preventing Khera from traveling to Assam to seek anticipatory bail. According to the state’s argument, modern legal provisions allow individuals to file such applications from anywhere in the country, making his choice of jurisdiction questionable.
The state also raised concerns about Khera’s movements, describing him as a potential flight risk. It was argued that his travel patterns suggested he might attempt to evade legal proceedings if immediate relief was granted.
Defence Calls Case Politically Motivated
Appearing for Khera, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi countered the state’s claims, describing the case as politically driven. He argued that the allegations were part of a larger attempt to target opposition voices.
The defence maintained that the complaint lacked substance and was rooted in political rivalry rather than credible evidence. Singhvi emphasized that the legal action against Khera amounted to misuse of law for settling political scores.
Allegations Trigger Legal Dispute
The case originated after Khera made public claims regarding Riniki Bhuyan Sharma’s alleged possession of passports from multiple countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Antigua and Barbuda.
In addition, he circulated documents that he claimed indicated property ownership in the UAE and substantial financial investments in Wyoming, United States. Khera alleged that these details were not disclosed in official filings by the Assam Chief Minister.
Strong Denial and Counteraction
Himanta Biswa Sarma and his wife firmly rejected the allegations, calling them baseless. They announced plans to pursue legal action against Khera for making what they described as false and damaging claims.
The Chief Minister also indicated that he would direct the Assam Police to verify the authenticity of the documents and passports mentioned. Authorities were expected to investigate whether the materials shared by Khera were genuine or fabricated.
Police Action and Political Reaction
Earlier in the week, Assam Police teams conducted searches at Khera’s residence in Delhi as part of the ongoing investigation. The move intensified the political dispute between the ruling party in Assam and the Congress.
The Congress party criticized the police action, terming it an abuse of power. Party leaders described the developments as an attempt to intimidate opposition figures and suppress criticism of the state government.
They further alleged that state machinery was being used selectively to target individuals raising questions about governance and accountability.
Legal Battle Likely to Continue
With interim relief granted for a week, the matter is expected to proceed in the appropriate jurisdiction where Khera may seek regular anticipatory bail. The case continues to draw attention due to its legal complexities and political implications.
As both sides prepare for further proceedings, the outcome will likely depend on how courts assess jurisdictional arguments, the credibility of allegations, and the evidence presented during the investigation.