New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India on Friday granted anticipatory bail to Congress leader Pawan Khera, while underscoring that personal liberty cannot be sacrificed at the altar of political rivalry.
The apex court’s decision comes in connection with a case involving allegations of forgery and defamation linked to remarks made by Khera about Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma. The case was initiated after Khera publicly alleged that Sharma possessed multiple foreign passports and undisclosed overseas assets—claims that were strongly denied and led to criminal complaints.
By granting anticipatory bail, the court has
provided Khera protection from arrest while the investigation continues.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court made a key observation, warning that the criminal justice system must not be used as a tool for political vendetta. It emphasised that individual liberty is a fundamental right and cannot “yield to political rivalry,” reinforcing constitutional safeguards under Article 21.
The court’s remarks come against the backdrop of arguments by Khera’s legal team, which described the case as politically motivated. They contended that the charges—though serious—did not justify custodial interrogation and that arrest would be excessive in a matter that could be addressed through due legal process.
The development follows a series of legal setbacks and appeals. The Guwahati High Court had earlier rejected Khera’s anticipatory bail plea, observing that custodial interrogation might be necessary to trace the origin of allegedly fabricated documents.
Following this, Khera approached the Supreme Court seeking relief.