Hyderabad /Guwahati, 10 April (H.S.): In a swift interim relief, the Telangana High Court awarded Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera seven days' transit anticipatory bail Friday amid a politically charged defamation probe launched by Assam Police over his allegations against Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma.

Justice Sujana Kalasikam permitted Khera to seek regular anticipatory bail from the jurisdictional court within the stipulated period, imposing standard conditions to ensure cooperation.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Khera, contended the Guwahati FIR invoking Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions on false election statements, cheating, and conspiracy—exemplified vendetta, asserting even if erroneous, the matter warranted civil defamation remedies over custodial coercion.

Assam Advocate General Devajit Saikia contested Hyderabad's locus standi, noting Khera's Delhi residency obviated local recourse. Khera, present in the city with family upon learning of the FIR, affirmed readiness to assist investigators.

The imbroglio traces to Khera's April 5 presser accusing Riniki Bhuyan Sarma of holding multiple passports and concealing foreign properties in Sarma's election affidavit. Assam Police's subsequent Delhi residence visit yielded no trace, prompting Sarma post-Assembly polling to defend the pursuit: Police enforce FIRs against named individuals; they serve law, salaried to pursue the accused.

Sarma branded Khera an absconder, vowing relentless pursuit even from the netherworld, while decrying Congress for unverified fabrications. Both Sarma and his wife have refuted the claims, escalating inter-party acrimony ahead of Assam's vote count.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar