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No need to humiliate me with arrest: Pawan Khera tells Supreme Court during bail plea hearing
Pawan Khera argued before the Supreme Court that arrest would be humiliating as he seeks anticipatory bail in a defamation case tied to a claim about Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma's wife holding three passports. The hearing before a two-judge bench challenged the Gauhati High Court's rejection of anticipatory bail, with the court reserving judgment. Background includes a defamation FIR, a Delhi raid, and statements from the MEA disputing the claims.
Why It Matters
The case tests safeguards against pre-arrest detention and highlights political and diplomatic sensitivities around allegations involving a chief minister's family.
Timeline
4 Events
MEA response calling the claims fake and fabricated
April 30, 2026
The Ministry of External Affairs, through Union State Minister Pabitra Margherita, stated that the claims about Riniki Bhuyan Sharma holding three passports were fake and fabricated.
Defamation FIR, Delhi raid and device seizure
April 30, 2026
A defamation FIR was filed against Khera after his allegations regarding Riniki Bhuyan Sharma. A raid was conducted at his Delhi residence; Assam Police DCP Debojit Nath said Khera was not at home, but some electronic devices were seized.
Supreme Court stay on interim protection from arrest (noted in coverage)
April 30, 2026
The article notes that the Supreme Court had previously stayed interim protection from arrest for Pawan Khera in relation to this matter.
Pawan Khera's anticipatory bail hearing before Supreme Court
April 30, 2026
A bench of Justices JK Maheswari and Atul Chandurkar heard Khera's appeal challenging the Gauhati High Court's rejection of anticipatory bail. Khera argued that arrest would be humiliating and that, if bail relief is not granted, the purpose of pre-arrest bail is defeated. The hearing related to the defamation FIR arising from his claim that Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's wife Riniki Bhuyan Sharma holds three passports. The court reserved judgment to be delivered later.