2 min readUpdated: Apr 17, 2026 01:40 PM IST
The Supreme Court has refused to extend the transit anticipatory bail earlier granted to Congress leader Pawan Khera by the Telangana High Court, reported news agency ANI. Khera had sought relief till Tuesday to allow him time to approach a competent court in Assam in connection with a case accusing him of making false allegations against the wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma.
A bench comprising Justices JK Maheshwari and Atul S Chandurkar, however, clarified its earlier order that had stayed the one-week transit bail granted by the Telangana High Court. The bench underscored that neither the High Court’s order granting interim protection nor the Supreme Court’s stay should გავლ influence the Assam court that will hear Khera’s anticipatory bail plea.
The court emphasised that any application for anticipatory bail must be assessed independently on its own merits, without being affected by prior judicial orders. It further noted that Khera is free to move the appropriate court. In case the court is not functioning, he may approach the registry, which will proceed in accordance with the law.
With these observations, the Supreme Court disposed of the plea.
Why was Pawan Khera booked?
The FIR against Pawan Khera was filed by Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, following a press conference where Khera levelled serious allegations of financial and legal misconduct. Khera claimed that Riniki Bhuyan held three foreign passports (from the UAE, Egypt, and Antigua and Barbuda) and owned undisclosed luxury properties in Dubai.
He further alleged that Chief Minister Himanta had failed to disclose these international assets in his election affidavits. Riniki Bhuyan rejected the claims as “malicious” and “poorly fabricated using AI”. She also filed an FIR in Guwahati, Assam, on charges of defamation and forgery.
Following the FIR, a team of the Assam Police conducted a search at Pawan Khera’s Delhi house. But he was in Telangana at the time.
