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He wrote, “The entire Indian National Congress stands solidly in solidarity with Pawan Khera, the Chairman of its Media and Publicity Department. The verdict of the Guwahati High Court is in the process of being challenged in the Supreme Court. We are confident that justice will prevail over the politics of threat, intimidation, and harassment.”

On Friday, the Gauhati High Court denied anticipatory bail to Congress leader Pawan Khera, observing that the case extends beyond simple defamation and reveals a prima facie offense under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The court held that custodial interrogation is necessary to determine the origin and authenticity of the documents Khera relied on and to identify those involved in procuring them.

Justice Parthivjyoti Saikia, while rejecting the plea, noted that Khera’s allegations against Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, made during a press conference in Guwahati, were based on documents which, according to the investigation so far, appear false.

The court stated that Khera did not substantiate his claims “beyond doubt” and failed to demonstrate the genuineness of the documents.

It observed that the matter “cannot be termed as a case of defamation simpliciter,” as there is sufficient material to indicate a prima facie offense under Section 339 of the BNS. The court also noted that after the FIR was lodged, Khera did not claim that the documents were falsely attributed to him by the police, strengthening the prosecution’s case at this stage.

The court further remarked that an “innocent lady has been dragged into the controversy” and the claims against Sharma, including holding multiple foreign passports and operating a foreign company with substantial investments, remain unproven.

The FIR was registered following Khera’s press conference on April 5 in Guwahati, where he alleged Sharma’s foreign citizenship and overseas financial interests, claims Sharma has categorically denied.