Pawan Khera appears before Assam Crime Branch in Guwahati
Synopsis
Congress leader Pawan Khera walked into the Guwahati Crime Branch on 13 May, appearing before investigators in a case filed by Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma's wife over allegations of foreign passports and financial interests abroad — a politically charged probe that has already triggered searches in Delhi and Hyderabad and a multi-court legal battle.
Key Takeaways
Pawan Khera appeared before the Assam Crime Branch in Guwahati on 13 May , cooperating with the investigation.
The case was filed by Riniki Bhuyan Sharma , wife of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma , over Khera's press conference allegations about foreign passports and financial interests abroad.
The Supreme Court granted Khera anticipatory bail, directing him to cooperate with the probe after the Gauhati High Court rejected his bail plea.
The FIR invokes multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita , including defamation, forgery, and false statements related to elections.
Assam Police had earlier conducted searches at Khera's Delhi residence and pursued leads in Hyderabad .
Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera on Wednesday, 13 May appeared before the Crime Branch in Guwahati in connection with a case filed by Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Khera cooperated with the investigation, according to officials, after the Supreme Court had granted him anticipatory bail with a direction to participate in the probe.
What Happened at the Crime Branch
Khera arrived at the Crime Branch office during the day and engaged with investigators. Speaking briefly to mediapersons outside the office, he said he has faith in the judiciary and would abide by the law. Officials confirmed his cooperation with the ongoing investigation.
Background: The Case Against Khera
The case stems from a complaint lodged by Riniki Bhuyan Sharma at the Guwahati Crime Branch Police Station. The complaint was triggered by Khera's public allegations at a press conference that she possessed multiple foreign passports and held financial interests abroad. The First Information Report (FIR) invokes several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including provisions related to false statements in connection with elections, cheating, forgery of valuable security, forgery of public records, using forged documents as genuine, intentional insult, and defamation.
The Legal Journey So Far
Khera had initially approached the Telangana High Court, which granted him one week's transit anticipatory bail on 10 April to seek regular relief before the competent court in Assam. The Supreme Court subsequently stayed the operation of that transit bail and clarified that any plea filed before the competent court in Assam would be considered independently. It later declined Khera's request to vacate the stay or extend interim protection.
Khera then moved the Gauhati High Court seeking anticipatory bail. The High Court rejected the plea, observing that the matter was not one of simple defamation and that custodial interrogation was necessary to ascertain the source of the documents cited by him. It was only after the Supreme Court stepped in with anticipatory bail that Khera was protected from arrest while being directed to cooperate.
Police Steps and What Comes Next
Earlier this month, Assam Police conducted searches at Khera's Delhi residence and pursued investigative steps in Hyderabad as part of the probe. The investigation is notable for its cross-state sweep, reflecting the seriousness with which authorities are treating the allegations. With Khera now having appeared before the Crime Branch, the next phase of the probe is expected to determine whether the documents he cited at the press conference can be traced and verified. The case continues to draw national attention given its political dimensions and the involvement of the Chief Minister's family.
Point of View
A standard typically reserved for more serious offences. The Supreme Court's intervention with anticipatory bail signals judicial caution about that framing. The broader question this case raises is whether defamation-adjacent FIRs are becoming a routine instrument of political counter-pressure — a pattern that courts across the country are increasingly being asked to adjudicate.
NationPress
6 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Pawan Khera appear before the Assam Crime Branch?
Pawan Khera appeared before the Guwahati Crime Branch on 13 May in connection with a case filed by Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The case relates to Khera's press conference allegations that she held multiple foreign passports and had financial interests abroad.
What is the FIR against Pawan Khera about?
The FIR invokes multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including provisions on false statements in connection with elections, cheating, forgery of valuable security, forgery of public records, using forged documents as genuine, intentional insult, and defamation.
Did the Supreme Court grant Pawan Khera anticipatory bail?
Yes, the Supreme Court granted Pawan Khera anticipatory bail, protecting him from arrest while directing him to cooperate with the investigation. This came after both the Telangana High Court's transit bail was stayed and the Gauhati High Court rejected his regular anticipatory bail plea.
Why did the Gauhati High Court reject Pawan Khera's anticipatory bail?
The Gauhati High Court rejected the plea, observing that the matter was not one of simple defamation and that custodial interrogation was necessary to ascertain the source of the documents Khera had cited at his press conference.
What investigative steps has Assam Police taken in this case?
Assam Police conducted searches at Pawan Khera's Delhi residence and pursued investigative steps in Hyderabad earlier this month, reflecting the cross-state scope of the probe before Khera's appearance in Guwahati.
