Congress leader Pawan Khera has approached the Telangana High Court seeking anticipatory bail in connection with an FIR registered against him by Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The FIR, lodged at the Guwahati Crime Branch Police Station, alleges offences under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita including Section 175 (false statement in connection with an election), Sections 35 and 36 (common intention and abetment), Section 318 (cheating), Sections 338 and 337 (forgery of valuable security and public record), Section 340 (using forged document as genuine), Section 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), and Section 356 (defamation).
The petition, filed under the title Pawan Khera v. The State of Telangana (CRLP 5285/2026), prays that in the event of his arrest, he may be released on bail. As per reports, Assam Police had reached Hyderabad on Tuesday in connection with the case and visited Khera’s residence in the city, where he reportedly maintains a home. Earlier, Assam Police had also conducted a search at his Delhi residence. The matter is presently pending scrutiny before the Telangana High Court, as indicated on the High Court website.
Pawan Khera, who serves as Chairman of the Media and Publicity Department of the Indian National Congress and is also a member of the Congress Working Committee, has publicly claimed that Riniki Bhuyan Sarma holds three passports. The allegations in the FIR appear to stem from these statements made by Khera regarding the alleged possession of multiple passports by the Assam Chief Minister’s wife.
The development comes amid heightened political tensions between the Congress and the ruling BJP in Assam. While the FIR invokes serious charges including forgery and defamation, Khera’s anticipatory bail application seeks protection from arrest pending further proceedings. The Telangana High Court is yet to list the matter for hearing, and the final outcome of the anticipatory bail plea will be closely watched given the cross-border nature of the investigation involving Assam and Telangana Police.
Case Title: Pawan Khera v. The State of Telangana
Case No.: CRLP 5285/2026
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