New Delhi, 30 April (H.S.): The Supreme Court has reserved its verdict on a petition filed by Congress leader Pawan Khera challenging the Gauhati High Court's order dismissing his anticipatory bail application. A bench presided over by Justice J.K. Maheshwari heard arguments from both sides before reserving the judgment.

Pawan Khera had filed an anticipatory bail application in the Gauhati High Court in connection with an FIR lodged by Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The Gauhati High Court, while rejecting Pawan Khera's anticipatory bail plea, observed that he had dragged an innocent woman into controversy for political gain.

Earlier, the Telangana High Court had granted Pawan Khera one week of transit anticipatory bail on April 10. The Assam Police challenged the Telangana High Court's order in the Supreme Court, following which the Supreme Court stayed the one-week transit anticipatory bail on April 15.

In fact, after the FIR was registered in Assam, the Assam Police conducted a raid on Pawan Khera's residence in Delhi on April 7, but Pawan Khera was not found at his home. This FIR was registered against Riniki Bhuyan Sharma following allegations leveled by Pawan Khera that she held multiple passports.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar