The legal battle between the Congress party and the Assam government intensified on Friday, April 24, 2026, as the Gauhati High Court rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Congress leader Pawan Khera.
The decision comes in the wake of an FIR lodged by Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, the wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Justice Parthiv Jyoti Saikia’s bench delivered the order after reserving it earlier this week, signaling a difficult road ahead for the Congress spokesperson who now faces potential arrest by the Guwahati Crime Branch.
The Triple Passport Allegation: A Heated Political Row
The controversy erupted during a high-decibel press conference in Guwahati, where Khera made sensational claims regarding the Chief Minister’s family. He alleged that Riniki Bhuyan Sharma holds three separate passports issued by India, the UAE, and Egypt. Furthermore, Khera claimed the family owns undisclosed luxury assets in Dubai and a business entity in the United States. These allegations were immediately dismissed as “baseless and malicious” by the Chief Minister and his wife, leading to a formal criminal complaint on April 5, 2026.
Arguments in Court: “Political Vendetta” vs. “Criminal Forgery”
During the three-hour-long hearing, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Khera, argued that the case was a clear instance of “political vendetta.” Singhvi contended that Khera was not a “flight risk” and that the severity of the charges did not warrant custodial interrogation. However, the prosecution maintained that the allegations involved the use of forged documents and false statements aimed at misleading the public during an election cycle. The Guwahati Crime Branch has invoked several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including forgery of valuable security, cheating, and defamation.
Political Firestorm: BJP Slams Congress “Misinformation”
The High Court’s refusal to grant relief has provided fresh ammunition to the BJP. Party spokesperson Shehzaad Poonawalla launched a scathing attack on the Congress leader, labeling the allegations as part of a larger conspiracy to “malign Assam.” Poonawalla claimed that the Congress was using forged documents to create unrest, adding that those who target the state’s dignity must face the legal consequences. With the court now clearing the path for the police to proceed, the spotlight shifts back to the Guwahati Crime Branch and their next steps in this high-profile investigation.