Telangana High Court on Thursday reserved its decision on the anticipatory bail plea of Congress leader Pawan Kheda. Justice K Sujana can give her order tomorrow i.e. on Friday.
This petition has been filed in connection with the FIR lodged by Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Kheda had alleged that Riniki Sharma was in possession of three passports, following which a case was registered in the Guwahati Crime Branch under various sections of the BNS, which include serious charges like cheating, forgery, defamation and making false statements related to elections.
What argument did lawyer Singhvi give in the court?
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing on behalf of Kheda, argued in the court that every possible section has been imposed in a case like defamation, which clearly shows that this action is motivated by political vendetta.
Singhvi said that the real complainant is actually the Chief Minister of Assam and an attempt is being made to silence political opponents by misusing the law. He also said that all the evidence is digital, so there is no need for arrest. Kheda is neither a fugitive criminal nor is he in danger of absconding. He is a prominent political personality who has deep roots in the society.
Assam advocate raised questions on maintainability
On the other hand, Advocate General of Assam Devjit Saikia raised questions on the maintainability of this petition in Hyderabad. He said that Kheda, a resident of Delhi, did not explain why he could not go to Assam and get anticipatory bail there.
Saikia described Kheda as an ‘established flight risk’ and said that when the police reached him, he ran away and instead of going to Delhi, came to Hyderabad and will go to Chennai tomorrow. In response to this, Kheda’s lawyer said that his wife’s Aadhar card is from Hyderabad and she has also contested elections from Sanatnagar seat, hence filing the petition in Hyderabad is completely justified.
Advocate General rejects allegations of political vendetta
The Advocate General also rejected the allegations of political vendetta and said that the complainant is not a political person. He said that Kheda used fake documents against Riniki Sharma, hence sections of forgery have been imposed.
Let us tell you that on Tuesday, Assam Police reached Hyderabad and searched for Kheda and his house in Delhi was also searched. Khera is the Chairman of the Media and Publicity Department of Congress and is also a member of the Congress Working Committee.
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