Defamation case: Pawan Khera appears before Assam Crime Branch again

Guwahati: Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Pawan Khera on Thursday appeared before the Assam Police Crime Branch in connection with an ongoing defamation case filed by Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, wife of Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

This is the third round of questioning. The case was lodged after Khera alleged that Sharma possessed multiple passports and undisclosed properties abroad ahead of the Assam Assembly elections in April this year. Khera last visited Assam in May. Khera told reporters that he was complying with the summons and cooperating with the investigation. "I have appeared before the Crime Branch in response to the notice issued to me. Earlier, I had informed the investigating agency that I was unwell and had pre-scheduled party programmes. They accepted my request," he said.

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Earlier, the Crime Branch had directed Khera to appear on July 17 after he failed to attend previously scheduled hearings. He has also secured interim protection from arrest from the SC in the case. The CM's wife has filed criminal complaints against Khera and others at the Guwahati Crime Branch Police Station under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.