Telangana High Court to decide on Pawan Khera anticipatory bail plea on April 11 2026

The Telangana High Court is poised to deliver its decision on Pawan Khera's plea for anticipatory bail this Friday, April 11, 2026. The court had previously heard arguments and reserved its order, indicating a deliberate consideration of the matter. Khera, a prominent Congress figure, sought this protective measure following a case registered against him by the Assam Police, which includes charges of alleged defamation, forgery, and criminal conspiracy.

The core of the legal dispute revolves around Khera's decision to approach the Telangana High Court for bail, rather than courts in Assam or Delhi, where he is a resident. Arguments presented in court highlighted a clash over the maintainability of his petition in Telangana. Assam's Advocate General, Devajit Saikia, contended that Khera's petition was not properly before the Telangana High Court, questioning why Khera could not file his plea in Assam, the jurisdiction where the FIR was lodged. He dismissed claims of political vendetta.

Conversely, Khera's legal team, including Abhishek Manu Singhvi, argued that the FIR was a tactic to "silence, harass, and intimidate" political opposition and that the charges at best amounted to alleged defamation. They also asserted that Khera was visiting his wife in Hyderabad when he learned of the FIR, providing a context for seeking relief there. However, it was also noted that Khera had left his Delhi residence before police arrived, a detail that opponents used to suggest a flight risk.

The case stems from public remarks made by Khera on April 5, 2026, where he alleged that Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, wife of Assam's Chief Minister, possessed multiple passports and undeclared foreign properties. This prompted the registration of the case at the Guwahati Crime Branch Police Station.

During the proceedings, Khera's lawyers emphasized his status as a political figure, not a habitual offender, and his willingness to cooperate with any investigation. The defense sought to portray the FIR as an attempt to silence dissent, rather than a genuine pursuit of justice.

The Assam Police, represented by Advocate General Devajit Saikia, countered that Khera had not provided sufficient justification for approaching the Telangana High Court, given his residence in Delhi and the FIR's origin in Assam. They also pointed to Khera's departure from his Delhi home when the police visited, implying an effort to evade authorities.

Pawan Khera's request for transit anticipatory bail aimed to grant him protection while he arranged to approach the appropriate courts in Assam. The Assam Police have been actively pursuing the investigation, with a team having visited Khera's Delhi residence for questioning. The impending order from the Telangana High Court will determine the next steps in this legal entanglement.