Congress leader Pawan Khera faces renewed legal challenges as the Supreme Court of India intervened in a case involving serious allegations against Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, the wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The apex court has stayed the decision of the Telangana High Court, which had previously granted relief to the Congress leader. The stay comes following a petition filed by the Assam government challenging the jurisdiction and the relief provided by the High Court.
Supreme Court Hearing and Arguments by SG
During the hearing on the petition filed by the Assam government against Pawan Khera, Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta represented the state. SG Mehta raised a pivotal jurisdictional question before the bench. He argued that since the alleged offense took place in Assam and the FIR was also registered in Assam, there was no legal basis for the Telangana High Court to grant bail. He contended that the appropriate forum for seeking relief should have been the Assam High Court.
Questions Over Jurisdiction and Relief
The Supreme Court noted that Pawan Khera had also sought an extension of his anticipatory bail. Addressing this, SG Tushar Mehta questioned why the leader didn't approach the Assam High Court instead of the Telangana High Court. He strongly urged the court to stay the Telangana High Court's order, arguing that the intervention was outside its territorial jurisdiction. After considering these arguments, the bench decided to put an interim stay on the High Court's decision.
Notice Issued to Pawan Khera for Response
The bench comprising Justice JK Maheshwari and Justice Atul S Chandurkar has issued a formal notice to Pawan Khera, seeking his response to the Assam government's plea. The court has granted Khera a period of three weeks to file his reply, while with the stay on the Telangana High Court's order, the legal protection previously enjoyed by the Congress spokesperson in this specific matter is currently suspended.
Background of the Allegations and Controversy
The controversy stems from a press conference where Pawan Khera leveled serious allegations against Riniki Bhuyan Sarma. Khera claimed that the Assam CM's wife holds passports from three different countries, including a Muslim nation. Also, he alleged that she possesses undisclosed assets located abroad, while these statements triggered a sharp political and legal reaction from the Assam administration.
FIR and Subsequent Police Action
Following Khera's allegations, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma filed an FIR with the Crime Branch of the Guwahati Police Commissionerate, while as part of the investigation, the Assam Police had previously reached Pawan Khera's residence in Delhi. Seeking protection from arrest, Khera had moved the Telangana High Court, which granted him bail. The Supreme Court has now stayed that specific order, bringing the case back into focus.