Guwahati: Assam Police on Tuesday summoned Congress MP Randeep Surjewala to appear before investigators on May 23 in connection with a forgery and criminal case against Congress leader Pawan Khera. The case is based on a complaint filed by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma.
Sources indicated that the necessity of summoning Surjewala emerged after Khera's interrogation. This development comes days after Khera was summoned to the Crime Branch Police Station in Guwahati. After two days of questioning, Khera stated on May 14 that he had fully cooperated with the investigating authorities. 'I was asked all the questions that are usually asked during an investigation... I have been called next on May 25. I will come again because every responsible citizen must cooperate with an investigation,' Khera said.
The case originates from a press conference held in New Delhi on April 6, where Khera accused Riniki of holding passports from the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Antigua and Barbuda. He also alleged that the Sarma family possessed assets abroad. Following these allegations, Riniki lodged a complaint at the Crime Branch Police Station in Guwahati. The Sarma family has strongly denied these claims, describing the documents as 'AI-generated fabrications' circulated by Pakistani social media groups.
The charges against Khera include making false statements in connection with an election, cheating, forgery, using forged documents as genuine, intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace, and defamation.
