SC grants Pawan Khera bail, warns liberty can’t yield to political rivalry
The Supreme Court granted anticipatory bail to Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera in a case related to allegations about Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's wife holding foreign passports. The court emphasized that personal liberty under Article 21 cannot be compromised by criminal proceedings potentially influenced by political rivalry. It directed Khera to cooperate with the investigation while cautioning against witness tampering or leaving the country without permission.
- ▪The Supreme Court granted Pawan Khera protection from arrest in a case filed by Assam Police over remarks about Riniki Bhuyan Sharma's alleged foreign passports.
- ▪The court stated that the FIR did not mention forgery charges under Section 339 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, questioning the Gauhati High Court's reliance on it.
- ▪The bench observed that the allegations appeared politically motivated and emphasized that personal liberty must not be jeopardized by politically coloured criminal proceedings.
- ▪Khera was directed to cooperate with the investigation, refrain from influencing witnesses, and not leave the country without trial court permission.
- ▪The Supreme Court referred to unparliamentary remarks made by Himanta Biswa Sarma against Khera, which the Solicitor General did not dispute during the hearing.
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SC grants Pawan Khera bail, warns liberty can’t yield to political rivalryThe court said that personal liberty cannot be jeopardised by criminal proceedings that may be coloured by political rivalry.Published on: May 01, 2026 2:18 PM ISTBy Abraham ThomasShare viaCopy link The Supreme Court on Thursday granted Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera protection from arrest in a case linked to allegations he made that Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, held foreign passports. The court said that personal liberty cannot be jeopardised by criminal proceedings that may be coloured by political rivalry.Congress leader Pawan Khera addresses a press conference in Guwahati in early April 1.
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