Congress Leader Pawan Khera Untraceable Amid Assam Police Search in Hyderabad
Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera remained untraceable on Wednesday as his Banjara Hills home in Hyderabad was barricaded and placed under heavy police watch. An Assam Police team has been camping in the city to trace him in connection with a case over his remarks against Himanta Biswa Sarma's wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma.
Police Barricades and Deployment at Residence
Barricades were erected and a police team deployed outside Khera's house on Road No. 10 in Banjara Hills. However, sources revealed to news agency PTI that neither Khera nor his family members have been present at the residence since Wednesday morning. Telangana Police have not disclosed his whereabouts, even as the visiting Assam Police team sought their assistance in tracing the Congress leader.
This development comes just one day after Assam Police conducted searches at Khera's Delhi residence as part of their ongoing investigation. The coordinated efforts between state police forces highlight the seriousness of the legal proceedings.
Background of the Defamation Case
The case was registered by the Guwahati Crime Branch following Khera's alleged defamatory remarks at a recent press conference in the national capital. During the conference, Khera claimed that Riniki Bhuyan Sarma holds multiple foreign passports and possesses overseas assets. Both Himanta Biswa Sarma and his wife have strongly denied these allegations, terming them "false, fabricated and malicious."
Based on Riniki Bhuyan Sarma's complaint, Khera has been booked under several provisions of the law, including:
- Charges of circulating false information
- Forgery
- Cheating
- Criminal intimidation
- Criminal conspiracy
Police Coordination and Search Efforts
Officials confirmed that the Assam Police team reached Hyderabad and coordinated extensively with local authorities. They established barricades and maintained a continuous presence outside Khera's residence. Despite these efforts, with no trace of the Congress leader at the location and no official word from Telangana Police, attempts to locate Khera have so far remained inconclusive.
Legal Proceedings and Anticipatory Bail Petition
Amid mounting legal and political pressure, Pawan Khera has moved the Telangana High Court seeking anticipatory bail in the case. In his petition filed on April 7, Khera stated that he is a resident of Banjara Hills and contended that he has not been furnished a copy of the First Information Report (FIR).
The Congress leader further argued that the allegations against him do not constitute a valid case and sought protection from arrest. The petition is scheduled to come up for hearing before Justice K Sujana today, adding another layer to this developing legal drama.
The situation remains fluid as authorities continue their search for the senior Congress leader while legal proceedings advance through the judicial system. The case has drawn significant attention due to the high-profile nature of the individuals involved and the serious nature of the allegations being exchanged.
