New Delhi, 01 May (H.S.):

The Supreme Court has granted anticipatory bail to Congress leader Pawan Khera in the FIR filed by Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The order was passed by a bench presided over by Justice J.K. Maheshwari.

The court observed that this is a case of political rivalry, making Pawan Khera's personal liberty essential. The court directed Pawan Khera to cooperate in the investigation, not leave the country without permission, and refrain from tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses.

Pawan Khera had filed an anticipatory bail petition in the Gauhati High Court regarding the FIR filed by Riniki Bhuyan. The Gauhati High Court rejected his anticipatory bail application, stating 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 order in the Supreme Court, following which the Supreme Court stayed the transit anticipatory bail on April 15.

In fact, after the FIR was registered in Assam, Assam Police raided Pawan Khera's residence in Delhi on April 7 but did not find him present. This FIR was filed after Pawan Khera accused Riniki Bhuyan of holding multiple passports.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar