New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday refused to extend the anticipatory bail granted to Congress leader Pawan Khera in a case registered in Assam over allegations he made against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma.
Khera had moved an application seeking extension of protection from arrest till Tuesday, stating that his pre-arrest bail plea was likely to come up before the Gauhati High Court on Monday. However, a bench of Justices J.K. Maheshwari and A.S. Chandurkar declined the request.
According to reports, the bench questioned why Khera had approached the apex court again instead of moving the appropriate court in Assam. “Our order was passed on April 15. Instead of moving another application here, why did you not file it there?” the bench asked.
The Supreme Court had earlier stayed an April 10 order of the Telangana High Court that granted Khera one week’s transit anticipatory bail. That relief had been granted to enable him to seek legal remedy before the competent court in Assam.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Khera, reportedly told the court that certain documents were filed in haste after the apex court earlier observed that an Aadhaar card submitted with the bail plea appeared “forged and fabricated.”
The case stems from remarks made by Khera alleging that Sharma held foreign passports, claims strongly denied by the Sarma family.
