The Supreme Court on Friday refused to extend Congress leader Pawan Khera’s transit anticipatory bail, directing him to seek relief from the Assam courts.
A Bench of Justices JK Maheshwari and Atul S Chandurkar declined interim protection from arrest. The judges clarified that the Assam court must decide Khera’s anticipatory bail plea on its own merits, without being influenced by earlier transit bail orders or the Supreme Court’s stay.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Khera, requested protection until Tuesday, citing the expiry of a one-week bail granted by the Telangana High Court. The Bench rejected the plea, questioning the manner in which jurisdiction was invoked and raising concerns about the use of documents during the earlier proceedings.
The FIR in Assam stems from Khera’s remarks against Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, wife of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Khera alleged she held multiple passports and undisclosed properties abroad. The Sarma family dismissed the claims as “AI-generated fabrications” spread by foreign social media groups.
On April 10, the Telangana High Court granted Khera transit anticipatory bail for one week. The Assam Police challenged the order in the Supreme Court, arguing that the case was linked to Guwahati. The apex court stayed the Telangana order earlier this week, observing that fabricated documents appeared to influence jurisdiction.
The Supreme Court disposed of Khera’s plea, leaving him free to approach the Guwahati High Court or the jurisdictional court in Assam. The Bench clarified that if the court is not functioning, Khera can request urgent listing through the registry.
