Congress leader Pawan Khera on Wednesday (May 13, 2026) appeared before the Assam Police’s Crime Branch in Guwahati for questioning in connection with a case filed against him by Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, the wife of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Mr. Khera had claimed before the April 9 Assembly elections that Ms. Sharma held multiple passports and possessed substantial assets abroad. She rejected the allegations and responded with a criminal case, accusing him of defamation, forgery, and criminal conspiracy.

“Mr. Khera arrived with his legal team and is participating in the questioning process. Officials are examining the basis of the allegations and the supporting material presented by him,” Congress’ legal representative Reetam Singh said.

He stated that Mr. Khera was not expected to be arrested as the Supreme Court had granted him anticipatory bail on April 30.

Senior Congress leader Ripun Bora, who visited the Crime Branch office, said Mr. Khera would leave for Delhi after the questioning concludes. “It has become a case of vendetta for the Assam Chief Minister,” Mr. Bora said.

CM seeks fast closure

Earlier, the Chief Minister said the government wanted the case to be closed as soon as possible.

“We received written letters from the countries (which, Mr. Khera claimed, provided Ms. Sharma with passports), confirming that those documents were fake. We will try to file the chargesheet within the stipulated time after the Crime Branch is through with the questioning,” he said.

“If he cooperates, the submission of the chargesheet will be quick. If he doesn’t, it may take time. But we want to conclude the case fast,” Mr. Sarma said.

The Telangana High Court granted interim transit bail to Mr. Khera on April 10, three days after he held press conferences in Delhi and Guwahati, raising questions against Ms. Sharma’s alleged money laundering.

On April 17, the Supreme Court asked him to approach the appropriate court in Assam. The Gauhati High Court rejected his pre-arrest bail request on April 24, six days before the apex court granted him anticipatory bail.