New Delhi: The Telangana High Court has granted interim relief to Congress leader Pawan Khera, providing him anticipatory bail for one week in connection with a case filed by Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
The order was passed by Justice K Sujana, allowing Khera a week’s time to approach the appropriate court for further legal relief. The court also imposed certain conditions while granting the temporary protection. A detailed copy of the order is awaited.
Khera had approached the Telangana High Court seeking anticipatory bail, citing his residence in Hyderabad. The case originates from an FIR registered in Assam, which has now led to a jurisdictional debate during court proceedings.
During the hearing, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Khera, argued that the charges in the FIR were excessive for a defamation related matter. He described the action as politically motivated and alleged misuse of legal provisions, stating that multiple offences had been invoked disproportionately.
On the other hand, Assam’s Advocate General Devajit Saikia challenged the maintainability of the plea in Telangana. He argued that since the FIR was registered in Assam, Khera should seek relief from courts within that jurisdiction rather than approaching a court elsewhere.
The case stems from remarks made by Khera during a press conference on April 4, where he alleged that the Chief Minister’s wife possessed multiple passports from different countries. Following this, an FIR was registered by the Guwahati Crime Branch, and subsequent action included a search at Khera’s Delhi residence.
With interim protection now in place, the matter is expected to proceed further in the coming days as Khera seeks regular anticipatory bail through the appropriate legal forum.
