New Delhi, 07 April (H.S.):

The Congress party has vehemently condemned the Assam Police raid on the Delhi residence of its media department chairman Pawan Khera, labelling it blatant political persecution and vowing to fight back.

Party president Mallikarjun Kharge, addressing a press conference in Guwahati, asserted that questioning the BJP government is the opposition's prerogative. He urged authorities to investigate the allegations against Khera transparently, dismissing fears of FIRs or probes by agencies like CBI, ED, and Income Tax, noting that those jailed often joined BJP and emerged unscathed.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh posted on X that the attempt to arrest Khera for raising public-interest questions exposes Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's desperation, terming it a bid to silence opposition voices rather than due process.

Spokesperson Supriya Shrinate echoed this on X, accusing the CM—himself embroiled in serious corruption charges—of panic, using police against evidence-based queries instead of responding; she predicted voters' retribution on April 9.

Khera had recently alleged in a press conference that Sarma's wife, Riniki Bhuiyan Sarma, holds three foreign passports (Egypt, UAE, Antigua & Barbuda) with overseas companies registered in her name, undisclosed to the Election Commission. Following her complaint, Assam Police raided his Nizamuddin East home Tuesday morning.

Additional Police Commissioner Debajit Nath confirmed an FIR at Guwahati's Crime Branch station, stating the team seized objectionable materials and electronic devices during the search; Khera was absent, but efforts to locate him continue.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar