SC Grants Bail to Pawan Khera in Defamation Case
Supreme Court sets aside Gauhati HC order, citing political overtones and need to protect personal liberty.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India on Thursday granted anticipatory bail to senior Congress leader Pawan Khera in connection with a defamation and forgery case filed by the Assam Police, setting aside an earlier order of the Gauhati High Court.
The relief was granted by a bench comprising Justices JK Maheshwari and AS Chandurkar, who observed that the case appeared to have “clear political overtones” and did not warrant custodial interrogation at this stage.
The Case Background
The case originates from a press conference held by Khera on April 4, 2026, where he made allegations against Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, claiming she held multiple foreign passports and undisclosed offshore assets.
Following these remarks, an FIR was registered in Assam, accusing Khera of criminal defamation and forgery. The state government termed the allegations “baseless” and argued that they were intended to create public mistrust.
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The Court’s Observations
While granting anticipatory bail, the apex court underscored the importance of safeguarding personal liberty, particularly in politically sensitive matters. The bench noted that arrest was not necessary for the purposes of investigation.
“The right to dissent and make political critiques, provided they do not incite violence, is central to a democracy,” the court observed during the hearing.
The ruling effectively protects Khera from arrest, subject to compliance with conditions set by the court.
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Political Reactions
The Indian National Congress welcomed the decision, describing it as a vindication of democratic values. Speaking to reporters, Khera stated that he stands by his allegations and will cooperate with the investigation.
On the other hand, representatives of the Assam government expressed disappointment, reiterating that the claims against the family of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma were fabricated and required thorough investigation.
Khera had earlier obtained transit bail from the Telangana High Court before approaching the Supreme Court. With this order, he is protected from arrest as the case proceeds.
