“Cowboys vs Khiladi”: Khera Bail Hearing Heats Up
Telangana High Court sees sharp exchanges as Congress leader seeks pre-arrest relief in Assam case
- Heated courtroom exchanges mark Pawan Khera’s pre-arrest bail hearing
- Congress alleges “political pressure”; Assam calls him “flight risk”
- FIR filed over allegations against Himanta Biswa Sarma and wife
- Telangana High Court reserves order till Friday
GG News Bureau
Hyderabad, 9th April: The pre-arrest bail hearing of Congress leader Pawan Khera in the Telangana High Court witnessed sharp verbal exchanges on Thursday, with both sides trading barbs and using phrases like “constitutional cowboys” and “international khiladi” during arguments.
Khera approached the High Court seeking relief after Assam Police registered a case against him over allegations involving Himanta Biswa Sarma and his wife Riniki Bhuyan Sharma regarding alleged foreign assets and passports.
The FIR, filed on a complaint by Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, includes charges of forgery, cheating, criminal intimidation, conspiracy, and defamation.
Appearing for Khera, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued that the case was politically motivated and overloaded with charges to pressure a political opponent. He maintained that even if the statements were incorrect, the matter would amount to defamation and did not justify arrest.
“Khera is not absconding and is ready to cooperate,” Singhvi told the court, adding that his client approached the Telangana High Court as he was in Hyderabad when he learned about the FIR.
Taking a strong stand, Singhvi criticised the Assam government’s action, warning that arresting individuals in such cases would lead to a “jungle raj.” He also remarked that authorities were acting like “constitutional cowboys,” misusing legal powers.
Countering the arguments, Assam Advocate General Devajit Saikia rejected the allegations, asserting that the state was not a “banana republic.” He argued that Khera should have approached courts in Assam or Delhi instead of Telangana.
Saikia described Khera as an “international khiladi,” alleging that he left Delhi before police could reach him and travelled to Hyderabad. He further claimed that foreign currency was recovered from Khera’s residence and that multiple cases were pending against him nationwide.
Arguing that Khera posed a flight risk, the Assam government opposed any interim protection.
After hearing both sides, the Telangana High Court reserved its order on the plea, which is expected to be pronounced on Friday.
