Ashish Ranjan
The Supreme Court on Thursday evening authorised the release of senior Congress leader Pawan Khera on interim parole by a Delhi court. The Congress petitioned the Supreme Court after Assam Police apprehended Pawan Khera at the Delhi airport.
Abhishek Manu Singhvi, a Rajya Sabha member and prominent advocate, informed the apex court of Khera’s arrest while en route to Raipur. He wanted all FIRs filed against the Congress leader to be consolidated into one.
AS Singhvi, a senior advocate, requested interim relief for Pawan Khera and the consolidation of multiple FIRs that have been filed across the country. Singhvi, who represents Pawan Khera, informed the Supreme Court that the Congress leader has apologised and stated that it was a linguistic error.
In the meantime, the Assam Police attorney informed the Supreme Court that Pawan Khera had been apprehended and would be presented for transit remand.
After hearing the argument in court, the Supreme Court ruled that the petitioner is the head of the Indian National Congress’s media and publicity department. The court noted that Pawan Khera held a press conference in Mumbai, and on February 20, a complaint was filed in Lucknow alleging violations of Indian Penal Code Sections 153a, 500, 504, and 505A. Another FIR was filed on February 22 in Varanasi.
The Supreme Court noted that Pawan Khera’s petition was not for the dismissal of the FIR, but rather for “clubbing of FIRs since all FIRs have the same motive.”
CJI Chandrachud stated, “Dr. Singhvi states that the petitioner has clarified that the statement was erroneous and that he will unconditionally apologise for the statement as it was not his intention to be personally objectionable by using the statement.”
The Supreme Court acknowledged that Pawan Khera’s words, considered at face value, did not lead to the sections cited in the FIR. The judge ordered the transfer and consolidation of all FIRs against Khera.
“To protect the petitioner until he petitions for regular bail before the jurisdictional court in relation to all FIRs, we direct that the petitioner be released on interim bail by the Delhi Court until the next date of listing,” the Supreme Court order stated.
WHY WAS PAWAN KHERA ARRESTED?
On February 17, police stations in Lucknow, Varanasi, and Assam filed FIRs against Khera for making denigrating remarks about Prime Minister Modi during a press briefing on the Adani-Hindenburg dispute.
Congress asserted that Khera was detained after disembarking a flight to Raipur in relation to his alleged remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Delhi Police requested Khera, against whom an Assam case has been registered, to deplane. In protest, Congress leaders staged a dharna on the tarmac.
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According to the Assam Police, a case has been opened at the Haflong police station and Khera has been charged with criminal conspiracy and inciting communal disharmony for his alleged remarks against the prime minister.
