The Supreme Court postponed its decision on the anticipatory bail request from Congress leader Pawan Khera. He is involved in a case filed by Guwahati Police regarding allegedly defamatory remarks about Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma. Justices JK Maheshwari and Atul Chandurkar heard arguments from senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Khera, and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the State of Assam.
Supreme Court Hears Pawan Khera’s Bail Plea
In strong remarks this afternoon, Singhvi called this an “unprecedented case” and subtly referred to the Assam CM as the “boss of the boss of the boss of the prosecutor.” This comment alluded to things Sarma said that Singhvi did not repeat in court.
He described those words as “unprintable” and said his client threatened with life imprisonment. “Dr. Ambedkar would turn in his grave if he thought a constitutional office-holder would speak like a cowboy or Rambo,” Singhvi said.
What the lawyer said?
Singhvi also highlighted that the main charges against Khera relate to defamation and reputational harm, neither of which justifies arrest or custody, as requested. “Let me assume I am ultimately convicted, but why is an arrest necessary? What is in this case that not handled without an arrest?” he asked. He emphasized that individual freedom upheld, noting that Pawan Khera is not a “hardened criminal.”
In reply, Mehta argued that Khera needed to questioned in custody. It trace the source of photographs and documents he provided to support his claims about the CM wife.
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