New Delhi, April 7 (NationPress) Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh condemned the operations conducted by the Assam Police at the residence of party member Pawan Khera in Delhi on Tuesday, labeling it a 'witch hunt' and indicating that Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is 'facing imminent defeat'.

The Assam Police visited Khera's home in Delhi earlier today amid rising tensions over the allegation that Chief Minister Sarma's wife possesses three passports. This search was initiated following an FIR filed by Sarma's wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, on Monday.

In response, Ramesh expressed via X, "The mobilization of a vast number of police personnel to apprehend my colleague Pawan Khera for merely raising fundamental questions in the interest of the public is an indication that the Assam CM is disturbed, desperate, and shaken."

He further asserted, "This is not a legal process but a witch hunt, with a bully utilizing state resources to suppress and silence the Opposition, which is revealing his numerous misdeeds. Those who resort to intimidation are often the ones who are afraid and have much to conceal. This also clearly indicates that the CM is on the verge of a significant loss."

Meanwhile, the Assam Police reported that they were unable to locate Congress leader Pawan Khera at his Delhi residence, and his current location remains unknown, as they are actively working to "trace him out".

A police spokesperson, addressing reporters outside Khera's residence in New Delhi, stated, "A case has been filed... We aimed to speak with Pawan Khera... We couldn't find him since he is not present... We discovered certain items in his home, but I cannot disclose further details... His current whereabouts are unclear, but we will find him..."

In the meantime, Chief Minister Sarma claimed that the accusations made by Khera regarding his wife's supposed foreign passports have been thoroughly discredited as falsehoods.

Speaking to the media, CM Sarma maintained that the governments of all three nations mentioned in the allegations have dismissed the claims that his wife holds their passports. "The lies propagated by the Congress have been fully unveiled. All three nations have denied the assertions made by Pawan Khera," he remarked.

Moreover, Chief Minister Sarma mentioned that the Assam Police's visit to Khera's residence was part of the investigation, but insisted that the Congress leader was not present there.

"In my view, Pawan Khera has absconded," CM Sarma told IANS.

Later, while speaking to reporters, he also suggested that Khera might have fled to Hyderabad to avoid questioning. "He has likely escaped to Hyderabad," CM Sarma added.

The Chief Minister reiterated that the allegations were politically motivated and aimed at tarnishing his and his family's reputation ahead of the elections. He affirmed that the state government would pursue legal action to ensure accountability for those spreading misinformation.

The controversy began when Khera accused Sarma's wife of possessing multiple foreign passports, a claim vehemently denied by both the Chief Minister and his family.

Congress figures, including Gaurav Gogoi and Pawan Khera, have recently raised concerns regarding the alleged foreign assets and connections of the Chief Minister's family, including claims about properties in Dubai and foreign documentation.

These allegations have been categorically refuted by the Chief Minister and his family. Sarma's wife, Riniki, has also dismissed the claims of any foreign business interests or assets as 'baseless'.