SC to hear Pawan Khera's plea against Gauhati HC bail denial on April 30
Synopsis
The Supreme Court will on 30 April hear Congress leader Pawan Khera's SLP challenging the Gauhati High Court's refusal to grant anticipatory bail in a case over his alleged remarks against Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma's wife. With transit bail already stayed by the apex court and searches conducted at his Delhi home, Thursday's hearing is the most consequential stage yet.
Key Takeaways
The Supreme Court is set to hear Pawan Khera's SLP on 30 April 2026 before Justices J.K.
Maheshwari and Atul S.
The Gauhati High Court ruled that Khera "does not deserve the privilege of anticipatory bail" under Section 339 of the BNS, 2023 .
An earlier Telangana High Court transit bail was stayed by the Supreme Court on Assam Police's challenge.
The FIR invokes multiple BNS provisions including false statements, cheating, forgery, and defamation.
Assam Police conducted searches at Khera's New Delhi residence and visited Hyderabad in connection with the case.
The Supreme Court of India is scheduled to hear on Thursday, 30 April 2026, a plea filed by Congress leader Pawan Khera challenging the Gauhati High Court's order rejecting his anticipatory bail application. The criminal case was registered by the Assam Police over Khera's alleged remarks against Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
What Is Before the Supreme Court
A Bench of Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Atul S. Chandurkar is listed to take up the matter, as per the causelist published on the apex court's official website. Khera has filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) — registered as Diary No. 25523/2026 — assailing the Gauhati High Court's refusal to grant him pre-arrest bail protection. The petition was filed on Sunday evening and was subsequently listed for hearing.
How the Gauhati High Court Ruled
A single-judge Bench of the Gauhati High Court, presided over by Justice Parthivjyoti Saikia, had declined anticipatory bail to Khera, observing that he "does not deserve the privilege of anticipatory bail." The court further stated: "The case cannot be termed as a case of defamation simpliciter. There are materials for a prima facie case under Section 339 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023."
A Long Journey Through the Courts
This is not the first time Khera has sought judicial protection in this matter. He had earlier obtained interim relief from the Telangana High Court, which granted him transit anticipatory bail for a limited period, enabling him to approach the competent court in Assam. However, the Supreme Court subsequently stayed this relief after Assam Police challenged the order. The apex court then declined Khera's plea to vacate the stay and also refused to extend interim protection, while clarifying that its earlier observations should not influence the competent court in Assam. Khera thereafter approached the Gauhati High Court, which also declined relief.
The Allegations at the Heart of the Case
The controversy stems from Khera's alleged claims that Riniki Bhuyan Sarma possessed multiple foreign passports, undisclosed luxury properties abroad, and links to shell companies. The FIR, registered at the Guwahati Crime Branch Police Station, invokes multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including charges related to false statements, cheating, forgery, and defamation.
Police Action and What Comes Next
Earlier this month, Assam Police conducted searches at Khera's residence in New Delhi and also visited Hyderabad in connection with the case, signalling active investigative intent. Thursday's Supreme Court hearing will be closely watched by both political and legal observers, as the outcome will determine whether Khera receives pre-arrest bail protection or remains exposed to potential arrest.
Point of View
And each intervention has tightened rather than loosened the legal noose around Khera. Thursday's apex court decision will signal how much latitude political figures can expect when making allegations about public officials' families — a question with implications well beyond this case.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pawan Khera's case about?
Pawan Khera, a Congress leader, faces a criminal case registered by Assam Police over his alleged remarks claiming that Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, held multiple foreign passports, undisclosed luxury properties abroad, and links to shell companies. The FIR was registered at the Guwahati Crime Branch Police Station under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Why did the Gauhati High Court reject Khera's anticipatory bail?
Justice Parthivjyoti Saikia of the Gauhati High Court held that Khera does not deserve the privilege of anticipatory bail, finding prima facie materials under Section 339 of the BNS and noting the case cannot be termed as defamation simpliciter.
What happened with the Telangana High Court's transit bail?
The Telangana High Court had granted Khera transit anticipatory bail for a limited period to enable him to approach the competent court in Assam. However, the Supreme Court stayed this relief after Assam Police challenged the order, and subsequently declined Khera's plea to vacate the stay or extend interim protection.
What charges does Khera face under the FIR?
The FIR invokes multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including charges related to false statements, cheating, forgery, and defamation, registered at the Guwahati Crime Branch Police Station.
What is the significance of the 30 April Supreme Court hearing?
Thursday's hearing before Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Atul S. Chandurkar is the latest and most consequential stage in a case that has already traversed three courts. The outcome will determine whether Khera receives pre-arrest bail protection or remains exposed to potential arrest by Assam Police.
