Guwahati Police Crime Branch Registers Case Following FIR by CM's Wife
The Crime Branch of the Guwahati Police Commissionerate has officially registered a case based on a First Information Report (FIR) lodged by Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, the wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The complaint targets AICC media and publicity chairperson Pawan Khera and others, with charges including forgery under the newly enacted Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
Allegations and Immediate Response
On Sunday, Pawan Khera held two press conferences—first in Delhi and then in Guwahati—where he made serious allegations against Riniki Bhuyan Sarma. He claimed that she holds passports issued by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, and Antigua and Barbuda, and owns undisclosed properties in Dubai. Additionally, Khera alleged that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma owns a limited liability company registered in Wyoming, USA, with an estimated value of Rs 53,000 crore.
Hours after these allegations surfaced, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma filed a formal complaint at the Crime Branch police station in Panbazar, Guwahati, late Sunday night. In her statement, she vehemently denied all accusations, labeling them as "baseless and false." She emphasized that the passports displayed during Khera's press conference were "completely AI generated and completely photoshopped," asserting that this constitutes a clear violation of her personal rights.
Political Context and Further Statements
Riniki Bhuyan Sarma also addressed the political motivations behind the allegations. She stated, "Congress does not have any agenda to fight this election. They do not have any agenda against Himanta Biswa Sarma also. For all these reasons, they have made me a soft target." She further dismissed the claim of holding three passports as impossible and questioned the logic of the financial allegations, saying, "Why would I stay in India if I had invested Rs 52,000 crore? I have no words to comment on that allegation."
Following Khera's press conference, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took to social media platform X to announce that he and his wife would file both civil and criminal defamation cases against Pawan Khera. This move underscores the seriousness with which the Sarma family is treating the allegations.
Legal Proceedings and Investigation Details
A senior officer from the Crime Branch confirmed that the FIR has been registered under several charges of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and that a thorough investigation is currently underway. The officer noted that the case involves complex legal aspects due to the nature of the allegations, particularly those related to forgery and digital manipulation.
In a related development, the investigation into a separate case filed by AJP candidate Kunki Chowdhury at the Cyber Police Station in Guwahati is also progressing. This case concerns the circulation of AI-generated fake videos targeting Chowdhury and her family. A police officer involved stated that the investigation is expected to take time due to procedural complexities.
The officer explained, "Social media users who circulated the videos have been asked to cooperate and provide necessary information. The IP addresses and content will be collected. Help from network service providers will be sought for analysis. These procedures take time." This highlights the broader challenges law enforcement faces in dealing with digital crimes and misinformation in the current technological landscape.
The registration of this case marks a significant escalation in the ongoing political and legal tensions in Assam, with implications for both personal reputations and electoral dynamics. As the investigation unfolds, further details are anticipated to emerge regarding the validity of the allegations and the legal outcomes for all parties involved.
