Guwahati: The Assam Police have filed an FIR against Congress leader Pawan Khera, invoking 14 sections of the law, including defamation, forgery, and criminal conspiracy, following a complaint by Riniki Bhuyan, wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
The complaint stems from remarks made by Khera during a press conference on Sunday, in which he alleged that Riniki Bhuyan possessed three passports. Khera also shared purported documents claiming she owned properties in the United Arab Emirates and had links to a company registered in the United States, which he alleged were not disclosed in Sarma’s election affidavit.
Bhuyan strongly denied the allegations in her complaint, describing them as “false, fabricated, baseless and malicious.” She stated that no such passports, citizenships, assets, or documents exist or were ever applied for in her name. The complaint further alleged that Khera’s claims were made with “deliberate malice” and “criminal intent,” aimed at damaging her reputation, dignity, and safety, as well as the political prospects of her husband. It also asserted that his remarks did not constitute protected political criticism.
Following the complaint, the Crime Branch of Assam Police registered a case, naming Khera and “unknown others” as accused. On Tuesday, a police team visited Khera’s residence in Delhi in connection with the investigation.
Officials said the FIR includes charges related to making false statements in connection with elections, cheating, forgery, criminal intimidation, intentional insult intended to provoke a breach of peace, statements likely to disturb public order, defamation, and criminal conspiracy.
“The case concerns the deliberate publication of scandalous imputations against a private individual, attributing serious illegal and unethical conduct without lawful proof, and circulating them through a coordinated effort to maximise public damage,” Bhuyan’s complaint stated.
Meanwhile, political tensions have escalated in Assam ahead of the polls. The BJP filed complaints with the state police and the Election Commission against Mallikarjun Kharge over remarks targeting the party and the RSS, including a separate complaint lodged in Delhi by a delegation led by Union Minister Harsh Malhotra.
The complaint relates to a public meeting held on April 6 in Karimganj district’s Nilambazar, where Kharge reportedly described the BJP and RSS as a “venomous snake,” drawing sharp criticism. Reacting to the remarks, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said at a rally that Congress leaders’ public standing had declined under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership.
Assam BJP spokesperson Pranjal Kalita said complaints had been filed with the police in Guwahati and the poll panel, alleging that Kharge’s remarks amounted to an “outright insult to Hindu beliefs and traditions.”
The Indian National Congress, however, hit back, accusing Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma of making derogatory comments against Kharge. Sarma reportedly said the Congress president was “speaking like a madman” due to old age. Responding, Rahul Gandhi said such remarks were an insult to Dalit leaders and “crores of people from the SC-ST community.” Congress communications chief Jairam Ramesh also criticised Sarma, accusing him of lacking “dignity or restraint in language.”