Guwahati: Gauhati high court on Tuesday reserved its order on the anticipatory bail plea of Congress leader Pawan Khera in connection with a forgery and criminal case filed against him by CM Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma.A single bench of Justice Parthivjyoti Saikia reserved the final order after hearing both sides for over three hours. The plea was moved on Monday.Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Khera along with advocate Kamal Narayan Choudhury, argued that the case was politically motivated and amounted to vendetta. The defense contended that the allegations lacked substantive merit and were aimed at silencing a political opponent.Opposing the plea, Assam advocate general Devajit Lon Saikia, representing the Assam Police, submitted that Khera was involved in serious crimes, including forgery and cheating.He submitted that the investigation had uncovered prima facie evidence pointing to deliberate wrongdoing, and therefore custodial interrogation and denial of bail were justified.The state govt had earlier approached the Supreme Court against the relief granted by the Telangana HC to Khera in connection with the case linked to allegations made by him against the CM’s wife.On April 7, Khera held two back-to-back press conferences in Delhi and Guwahati, accusing Riniki Bhuyan Sharma of holding passports of Egypt, UAE, and Antigua and Barbuda, and of possessing assets in foreign nations — allegations denied by both CM Sarma and his wife Riniki.Telangana HC, while granting transit anticipatory bail to Khera on April 10, observed that his apprehension of arrest appeared reasonable. However, the court imposed conditions, including cooperation with the investigation, restriction on foreign travel without permission, and restraint from making statements that could prejudice the probe.Following this, the Assam government moved the SC seeking cancellation of the relief. The apex court denied any protection to Khera and advised him to move his bail petition before the Gauhati HC, where the matter was heard on Tuesday.
