A bench led by Justice K Sujana approved the relief, giving Khera time to seek the appropriate court for additional legal protection, according to LiveLaw.
This case originates from a First Information Report (FIR) filed by the Assam Police after Khera claimed that Riniki Bhuyan Sarma was allegedly holding multiple passports.
“The petitioner is permitted one week to submit an application before the relevant court… relief to the petitioner for one week with conditions,” the judge stated while delivering the order, as reported by LiveLaw.
A detailed order from the court is still pending.
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Khera, who is the chairman of the media and publicity department for the Congress party and a member of the Congress Working Committee, has alleged that Riniki Bhuyan Sarma holds three passports.
The FIR was lodged at the Guwahati Crime Branch Police Station under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which include Sections 175, 318, 337, 338, 340, 352, and 356, covering offenses like making false statements related to elections, cheating, forgery, and defamation.
The Assam Police recently went to Hyderabad searching for Khera and had previously conducted a search at his residence in Delhi.
Khera had submitted the anticipatory bail petition in Hyderabad, where he maintains a residence.
Assam Police questions maintainability of plea
During the proceedings, the Advocate General of Assam, Devajit Saikia, who represented the Assam Police, raised concerns about whether the bail plea could be filed in Hyderabad.
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Saikia asserted that Khera, being a resident of Delhi, had not given a valid justification for not approaching a court in Assam.
“There is no medical emergency… He can file for anticipatory bail in Assam from anywhere in the country,” the Advocate General informed the court.
Saikia further argued that Khera could be a flight risk. “When police attempted to reach him, he evaded them… He could have gone to Delhi, his residence. Instead, he is in Hyderabad… Tomorrow, if police arrive there, he may flee to Chennai…,” he contended.
Defence alleges political vendetta
In defense of Khera, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi claimed that the criminal proceedings were politically driven.
Singhvi expressed to the court that the case “reeks of political vendetta,” as cited by LiveLaw.
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