“No need to humiliate me with arrest”: Pawan Khera tells Supreme Court as Assam Police oppose bail

The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its order on Congress leader Pawan Khera’s anticipatory bail plea in a case filed by Assam Police over allegations concerning Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma. During the hearing, the state strongly opposed the plea, alleging that Khera had used “fake, doctored and fabricated” passport documents while making public claims.

Appearing for the Assam Police, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that the alleged actions were serious and non-bailable, requiring detailed investigation. He argued that Khera had displayed manipulated passport copies and photographs during an ongoing election period, and that custodial interrogation was necessary to uncover how the documents were created, who assisted in the process, and whether there were wider links to the alleged forgery.

The state further claimed that Khera had been absconding since the registration of the FIR, even as he continued to release public statements, indicating awareness of the case. It maintained that the matter extended beyond defamation and involved potential offences related to forgery and fabrication of official documents, which warranted deeper scrutiny by investigative agencies.

Responding to the allegations, Khera told the court that there was no need to “humiliate” him through custodial arrest, asserting that the case should be decided through trial. His counsel argued that several sections invoked against him were bailable and did not justify arrest, emphasising that anticipatory bail is a legal right aimed at protecting individuals from unnecessary detention.

The plea challenges an earlier order of the Gauhati High Court denying anticipatory bail to Khera. The Supreme Court, after hearing arguments from both sides, has reserved its decision, leaving the question of interim protection and the scope of investigation to be determined in its forthcoming order.