Guwahati, July 23 (HS): Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera appeared before the Assam Police Crime Branch in Guwahati on Thursday in connection with a defamation and fake passport case filed by Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

The case stems from allegations made by Khera during a press conference ahead of the Assam Assembly elections, where he claimed that Riniki Bhuyan Sharma possessed multiple passports and owned properties abroad. Rejecting the allegations, she lodged a complaint accusing Khera of forgery, defamation and criminal conspiracy.

Khera, who has already secured interim bail from the Supreme Court in the case, appeared before the Crime Branch after receiving a fresh summons. He had earlier skipped multiple summons, citing health issues and party commitments in Bengaluru, while informing the investigating agency in writing.

Before entering the Crime Branch office at Panbazar, Khera told reporters that he was appearing in response to the summons out of respect for the legal process. He also said that he always enjoys visiting Assam.----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash