The Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved its order on the bail plea of Congress leader Pawan Khera in connection with a case filed in Assam. During the hearing, senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Khera, launched a scathing attack on Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, likening him to a 'constitutional cowboy' and a 'Rambo'. Singhvi referred to various statements made by the Chief Minister, accusing him of spewing 'venom and malice'. The court will now pronounce its order on the bail plea at a later date.
The case against Khera stems from alleged remarks made during a press conference in Assam, which the state government claimed were defamatory and provocative. Khera was arrested earlier this month and has been in custody since. The Congress leader has denied the allegations, arguing that his statements were taken out of context.
During the hearing, Singhvi submitted that the Chief Minister's own statements showed a pattern of aggressive and unconstitutional behavior. 'He (Sarma) acts like a constitutional cowboy or a Rambo, spewing venom and malice without any regard for the law,' Singhvi argued. He further contended that the case against Khera was politically motivated and an attempt to silence dissent.
The Assam government, represented by its legal team, opposed the bail plea, stating that Khera's remarks had the potential to incite public unrest and disrupt peace in the state. The government argued that the Congress leader's actions were deliberate and aimed at maligning the Chief Minister.
The Supreme Court, after hearing both sides, reserved its decision. The order is expected to be pronounced in the coming days. Meanwhile, Khera remains in judicial custody. The case has drawn significant political attention, with opposition parties rallying behind Khera and accusing the Assam government of using legal tools to target political opponents.
