New Delhi: Congress leader Pawan Khera on Wednesday welcomed the Supreme Court's decision to grant him anticipatory bail, describing it as a strong defence of personal liberty. Reacting on social media platform X a day after the order, Khera expressed gratitude to the apex court for upholding the rule of law. He acknowledged the efforts of senior advocate Dr. Abhishek Singhvi and his legal team for defending his liberty against what he termed as sustained threats and intimidation by the Assam Chief Minister.
Khera's Statement on Personal Liberty
In his post, Khera framed the relief as more than just a personal reprieve. He stated, "My bail is not only a personal victory and a source of relief, but also a reminder to those who misuse state power that as long as we remain a Constitutional Democracy, personal liberty cannot be sacrificed for political vendetta." He concluded his statement with the phrase "Satyameva Jayate" (Truth alone triumphs).
Supreme Court's Observations
The Supreme Court, while granting pre-arrest bail, observed that the case appeared to stem from political rivalry. The bench, comprising Justices JK Maheshwari and AS Chandurkar, emphasized that the right to personal liberty under Article 21 must be protected with a high threshold for interference. The court also noted that the criminal process must be applied with objectivity and circumspection to ensure it is not influenced by political considerations.
Khera had been accused of making allegations against the wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, including claims about multiple passports and undisclosed foreign assets. The court noted that both sides had exchanged allegations and determined that the matter did not warrant custodial interrogation at this stage. It added that the veracity of the claims could be tested during trial. Setting aside an earlier Gauhati High Court order, the bench held that its observations were erroneous and appeared to shift the burden unfairly onto the accused.
Conditions Imposed on Khera
At the same time, the court directed Khera to cooperate fully with the investigation, appear before authorities when required, and refrain from influencing evidence or leaving the country without permission.
Gratitude to Party Leaders
In his post, Khera also thanked senior Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi, for their support. He expressed gratitude to party workers who stood by him with their voices and prayers. He added, "No matter how formidable falsehood may seem, it is the truth that triumphs."
