Guwahati, 24 April (HS): The Gauhati High Court on Friday rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Congress leader Pawan Khera. The order was delivered by the court of Justice Parthivjyoti Saikia at around 10:30 am.

The court had reserved its order on Thursday after hearing the matter and formally pronounced the rejection of bail on Friday.

The case stems from allegations made by Khera during the Assam Assembly election campaign, in which he claimed that Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, wife of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, possessed passports of three different countries. Following the allegations, a complaint was lodged by Sharma with the Crime Investigation Branch.

Based on the complaint, a case was registered against Khera under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including charges related to spreading false election information, fraud, forgery and defamation.

Earlier, after being granted anticipatory bail by the Telangana High Court, the matter reached the Supreme Court of India, which directed Khera to approach the competent court in Assam. Following the hearing on his anticipatory bail plea, the Gauhati High Court has now delivered its verdict rejecting the application.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash