The Supreme Court of India on April 15, 2026, stayed a Telangana High Court order that had granted Congress leader and party spokesperson Pawan Khera one-week transit anticipatory bail. The temporary relief had been granted in connection with an FIR filed by Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, that alleges possession of multiple passports and relates to remarks made about the chief minister’s wife.
A two-judge Bench of Justices J.K. Maheshwari and A.S. Chandurkar told the Telangana High Court decision that it was surprised by the order and issued a stay while the matter is heard. The bench made clear that if Khera approaches a competent court in Assam for anticipatory bail, the Supreme Court’s stay will not prejudice that application or attract any adverse inference.
The apex court has issued notice to Khera and other respondents, asking them to file responses to the Assam government’s petition challenging the High Court’s grant of transit bail. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the State of Assam, told the court that Khera’s petition did not specify how Telangana had territorial jurisdiction in the matter.
Under the earlier Telangana High Court directions, Khera was required to approach the appropriate Assam court for any further relief; the Supreme Court reiterated its order would not obstruct him from doing so. The Assam government has contested the High Court’s decision to give temporary protection from arrest in the case registered over Khera’s remarks concerning the chief minister’s wife.
Original Source: https://nenews.in/assam/sc-stays-telangana-hc-transit-bail-relief-to-pawan-khera-in-assam-case/48095/
Category: Assam,Pawan Khera,Supreme Court of India,Telangana High Court
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Publish Date: 2026-04-15 15:21:00
