Guwahati, Apr 13: The Assam government has approached the Supreme Court of India challenging the Telangana High Court order that granted one-week transit anticipatory bail to Congress leader Pawan Khera in a defamation case.

The petition, filed on Sunday through advocate Shuvodeep Roy, is expected to be taken up for hearing this week. On April 10, the high court granted Khera interim protection, noting a reasonable apprehension of arrest based on available material, without commenting on the merits of the case.

The court directed Khera to furnish a personal bond of ₹1 lakh with two sureties. It also instructed him to cooperate with the investigation, remain available for questioning, not leave the country without prior permission, and approach the competent court in Assam within one week. Additionally, he was asked to refrain from making public statements that could affect the ongoing probe.

The case arises from allegations made by Khera on April 5 concerning Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Khera had claimed that she possessed multiple passports and undisclosed foreign assets, which were allegedly not mentioned in the Chief Minister’s election affidavit ahead of the April 9 Assam Assembly polls.

Following the remarks, a case was registered at the Crime Branch in Guwahati under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Sections 175 (false statements in connection with elections), 35, and 318 (cheating). Khera, who listed a Hyderabad address in his plea, had approached the Telangana High Court on April 7 seeking protection from arrest.