New Delhi: Congress leader Pawan Khera has approached the Supreme Court challenging the Gauhati High Court’s decision to deny him anticipatory bail in a case filed by the Assam Police. The move comes shortly after the High Court refused to grant him protection from arrest in a matter involving allegations of defamation and forgery.
SLP Filed, Petition Under Consideration
According to details available on the Supreme Court’s official website, Khera filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) on Sunday. The case has been registered with diary number 25523/2026 and was submitted around 6:26 PM. As of now, the petition is listed as “pending,” and further hearing dates are awaited.
High Court’s Observations
The Gauhati High Court had rejected Khera’s anticipatory bail plea just two days earlier. The single-judge bench, led by Justice Parthivjyoti Saikia, observed that Khera was not entitled to the “extraordinary relief” of pre-arrest bail. The court also stated that the case could not be treated as a simple defamation matter.
The bench noted that prima facie evidence exists under Section 339 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, indicating the seriousness of the allegations.
What the Case is About
The case was registered by Assam Police following a complaint filed by Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. She accused Khera of making false and defamatory statements during a recent press conference.
Khera had alleged that Riniki Bhuyan Sarma possessed multiple foreign passports and undisclosed overseas assets, claims that led to the filing of the FIR.
Earlier Legal Developments
Before approaching the Gauhati High Court, Khera had sought relief from the Telangana High Court, requesting protection from arrest. The Telangana High Court granted him temporary relief and directed him to approach the appropriate jurisdiction.
Subsequently, Assam Police challenged this relief in the Supreme Court. The apex court stayed the interim protection granted to Khera, prompting him to move the Gauhati High Court for anticipatory bail — which was ultimately denied.