The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its order on Congress leader Pawan Khera’s plea for anticipatory bail in a case linked to allegations against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife. A bench comprising Justices J.K. Maheshwari and A.S. Chandurkar heard arguments before keeping the matter for decision.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Khera, contended that denial of anticipatory bail would defeat the very purpose of pre-arrest protection. He argued that the charges against his client were matters for trial and that arrest was unnecessary, noting that several sections invoked in the case were bailable or did not mandate custody.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Assam government, opposed the plea, asserting that Khera had circulated fake and doctored passport copies of the chief minister’s wife. He alleged that Khera had been absconding while releasing videos, and dismissed the claims of multiple citizenships as baseless.

The case stems from criminal complaints filed by Riniki Bhuyan Sharma at the Guwahati Crime Branch under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Earlier, the Telangana High Court had granted Khera a seven-day transit anticipatory bail, but the Assam Police challenged the order before the Supreme Court, which stayed the relief and directed him to approach the Gauhati High Court. On April 24, the Gauhati High Court rejected his plea, prompting the current appeal before the apex court.