Pawan Khera Summoned Again by Assam Police for Further Questioning
Ongoing Investigation into Allegations Against Pawan Khera
A file image of Pawan Khera in Guwahati
Guwahati, May 15: Pawan Khera, a prominent Congress figure, has been summoned by the Assam Police's Crime Branch for additional questioning scheduled on May 25. This follows allegations made by Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, the spouse of Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Khera faced questioning for the second consecutive day at the Crime Branch office, focusing on claims he made regarding Sharma's alleged possession of multiple passports and undisclosed foreign assets.
After his session at the Crime Branch, Khera informed the media, "The inquiry is ongoing. I am answering all questions as required. I have been asked to return on May 25, and I will comply."
He emphasized his full cooperation with the investigation, stating, "Every responsible citizen should do the same." However, he refrained from sharing specifics about the questioning, asserting that he was addressing all inquiries from the investigators.
On Wednesday, police had interrogated Khera for over ten hours before requesting his presence again the following day.
Before entering the Crime Branch office earlier that day, Khera reiterated his commitment to cooperating with the investigation.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma remarked that the investigation would follow legal protocols and claimed that the Centre had communicated in writing that the documents presented by Khera were "fake."
Sarma also indicated that the police would be able to file a chargesheet within the required timeframe.
Criminal complaints against Khera and others were lodged by Sharma at the Guwahati Crime Branch police station, encompassing various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The allegations include making false statements related to an election, cheating, forgery, using forged documents as authentic, intentional insult aimed at provoking a breach of peace, and defamation.
Previously, Assam Police had attempted to visit Khera's residence in Delhi, but he was reportedly absent.
Khera initially obtained a seven-day transit anticipatory bail from the Telangana High Court, which was later contested by Assam Police in the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court subsequently stayed the transit bail order and instructed Khera to approach the Gauhati High Court. His anticipatory bail request was later denied by the Gauhati High Court, prompting him to appeal to the Supreme Court again.
Ultimately, the Supreme Court granted him anticipatory bail, noting that the situation seemed to arise from political rivalry.
In a related development, a local court in Guwahati had previously dismissed Assam Police's request for a non-bailable warrant against Khera.