The Telangana High Court today granted anticipatory bail to Congress leader Pawan Khera for one week in connection with an FIR filed against him by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma. Khera had alleged that she has multiple passports and properties abroad. “The petitioner is granted time time for one week to file an application before the concerned court…relief to petitioner for one week with conditions,” said Justice K Sujana while pronouncing the order.
A detailed copy of the order is awaited. The anticipatory bail petition has been filed in Hyderabad, where Khera has a residence. During the hearing on Thursday, Advocate General of Assam Devajit Saikia, appearing for the Assam Police, had challenged the maintainability of the anticipatory bail plea in Hyderabad. He submitted that Khera, a resident of Delhi, had not shown any reason as to why he cannot come to Assam and file for anticipatory bail there. “There is no medical emergency…He can file prayer for anticipatory bail in Assam from any part of the country,” AG said.
The AG further argued that Khera is an “established flight risk” since, “when police went to him, he fled away…He could have gone to Delhi because that is his place of residence. Instead he is in Hyderabad… Tomorrow if police reaches there, he will fly to Chennai…”
On the other hand, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appearing for Khera had argued that the criminal action is motivated and reeks of political vendetta. For context, the FIR has been registered under Sections 175 (false statement in connection with an election), 35, 36, 318 (Cheating), 338, (forgery of valuable will, security, etc.), 337 (Forgery of record of Court or of public register, etc.), 340 (Forged document or electronic record and using it as genuine), 352(Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), 356 (Defamation) of BNS at Guwahati Crime Branch Police Station.
