The Gauhati High Court has rejected the anticipatory bail plea filed by Congress leader and party spokesperson Pawan Khera in connection with an FIR registered by the Assam Police Crime Branch over allegations relating to statements he made about Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan.
Justice Parthivjyoti Saikia delivered the order refusing anticipatory bail after reserving judgment on April 21, 2026. The case arises from allegations of defamation, forgery and criminal conspiracy linked to remarks made by Khera during a press interaction.
FIR Registered Over Statements Concerning Chief Minister’s Wife
The FIR was registered following statements made by Khera in which he alleged that Riniki Bhuyan possessed multiple foreign passports and undisclosed assets abroad. Based on these claims, the Assam Police Crime Branch initiated criminal proceedings invoking provisions relating to defamation, forgery and conspiracy.
The case forms part of a wider legal dispute emerging from political allegations made during a public press conference.
Police Action and Earlier Proceedings in Telangana High Court
During the course of the investigation, Assam Police officials visited Khera’s residence in Delhi on April 7, though he was not present at the time. Subsequently, Khera approached the Telangana High Court seeking transit anticipatory bail.
On April 10, the Telangana High Court granted him interim protection for one week to enable him to approach the appropriate court in Assam for anticipatory bail.
However, the Assam government challenged this order before the Supreme Court, which stayed the Telangana High Court’s transit anticipatory bail order on April 15.
Supreme Court Refuses to Extend Transit Bail Protection
Khera later moved the Supreme Court seeking vacation of the stay order passed on the Telangana High Court’s interim relief. The Supreme Court declined to interfere and refused to extend the transit anticipatory bail protection.
Instead, the Court directed Khera to approach the Gauhati High Court for appropriate relief.
Following this direction, Khera filed his anticipatory bail application before the Gauhati High Court.
Khera Argues Statements Made in Political Context
Before the High Court, Khera argued that the allegations against him arose from statements made in a political and public context during a press conference and had been selectively interpreted to initiate criminal proceedings.
He contended that the FIR had been registered with an ulterior motive and amounted to an abuse of the legal process. According to his plea, the complaint was filed at the instance of the Chief Minister’s wife and was intended to harass and intimidate him in his capacity as a political spokesperson.
The plea further stated that his remarks were framed in the form of interrogatory statements and did not involve any participation in alleged fabrication of documents such as passports or property records.
Charges Include Defamation, Forgery and Criminal Conspiracy
The criminal case registered by the Assam Police invokes allegations relating to defamation, forgery and criminal conspiracy arising from the statements attributed to Khera.
The matter has drawn attention due to its political context and the involvement of a senior opposition party spokesperson in proceedings initiated following public remarks concerning the family of a sitting Chief Minister.
Representation Before the Court
Senior Advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Kamal Nayan Choudhury appeared for Khera before the Gauhati High Court, along with advocates Shariq Ahmed Abbasi, Aman Wadud and Aminur Rahman.
The Court ultimately declined to grant anticipatory bail in the matter.
Significance of the Order
The rejection of anticipatory bail marks a significant development in the proceedings initiated by the Assam Police against the Congress leader. The order follows earlier litigation across multiple forums, including proceedings before the Telangana High Court and the Supreme Court relating to transit protection.
The matter is expected to continue as part of the ongoing investigation into allegations arising from statements made during the press conference.
Further developments are likely depending on the next procedural steps taken by the parties in the case.
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