
Tensions flare as Assam Police deploy to New Delhi to question Pawan Khera following fierce accusations of foreign-linked misinformation against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
NEW DELHI - A specialized team from the Assam Police arrived at the New Delhi residence of Congress leader Pawan Khera on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, to conduct questioning in connection with a contentious legal case. The operation comes in direct response to serious allegations made by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma regarding a campaign of misinformation linked to a family dispute. The legal team formally notified the Delhi Police upon their arrival, triggering an immediate joint operation where a local police unit was deployed to assist the visiting team in executing the inquiry.
The confrontation stems from a heated exchange that escalated over the weekend. On Monday, April 6, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma publicly accused the Congress party of orchestrating a "foreign-influenced misinformation campaign" against him and his wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, just days before the critical April 9 Assembly elections. The Chief Minister went further on Sunday, alleging that specific serious claims made by Pawan Khera against his wife possessed a direct link to Pakistan.
Following these escalating tensions, the legal framework was initiated by the Sarma camp. Chief Minister Sarma confirmed that his wife had lodged a First Information Report (FIR) with the Crime Branch of the Assam Police. The complaint was filed against Mr. Khera and unidentified associates for accusing Mrs. Sarma of holding passports from three nations, including two Islamic countries, owning a luxury property in Dubai, and holding investments valued in the millions within Wyoming, United States.
As the Assam Police began their search operations at the national capital residence, Chief Minister Sarma issued a sharp rebuttal regarding Mr. Khera's current whereabouts. In an exclusive statement to ANI, the Chief Minister alleged that Mr. Khera had "run away" from the situation. Sarma stated, "He ran away from Guwahati yesterday. I have come to know through the media that the police have gone to his residence in Delhi, but he has run away to Hyderabad."
The Chief Minister further added that while Mr. Khera had recently sought clarifications regarding his wife's alleged foreign assets, prompting the current police action, the leader's sudden departure to Hyderabad suggests a flight from the law. "The law will take its own course," Sarma concluded, asserting that the timeline of events pointed to evasion rather than cooperation.
Congress Party Reaction
The move by the investigating team sparked immediate political fallout. Shortly after the police team entered Mr. Khera's residence, the Congress party issued a scathing condemnation. A spokesperson from the party labeled the deployment of a "full army of police officials" as a "witch hunt."
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh took to social media platform X to articulate the party's stance. Ramesh argued that the aggressive action taken against a colleague for asking basic questions in the public interest demonstrates that the Chief Minister is "disturbed, desperate, and rattled." He characterized the event not as a standard legal process, but as a "bully using state machinery to muzzle the voice of the Opposition."
Ramesh's statement highlighted a deepening ideological conflict, suggesting that the intimidation tactics are a sign of vulnerability. "Those who intimidate are the ones who are afraid and have much to hide," Ramesh asserted. He further predicted that this heavy-handed approach serves as evidence that the Chief Minister is facing an imminent electoral defeat in the upcoming Assembly polls.
The situation has now created a dual narrative of legal inquiry versus political maneuvering. While the Assam Police operate under the mandate of the FIR filed by Mrs. Sarma, the Congress party frames the investigation as a calculated effort to suppress dissent ahead of the election. The absence of Mr. Khera from his Delhi residence, as claimed by the Chief Minister, adds a layer of uncertainty to the proceedings, as the inquiry continues without the primary subject present for questioning at the initial stage.
The implications of this standoff extend beyond the immediate legal proceedings. The clash between the state machinery of Assam and the central leadership of the Congress party highlights the intensifying political warfare in the region. As the April 9 Assembly election approaches, every legal and political maneuver is being scrutinized for its potential to influence voter sentiment. The narrative of "witch hunt" versus "foreign influence" promises to dominate the campaign discourse, with the police action serving as the focal point of a much larger political battle.
The deployment of Assam Police to New Delhi has solidified the narrative of a high-stakes confrontation between the state government and the opposition. While the Chief Minister claims the target is evading justice, the opposition argues the move is a strategic distraction. Given the timing just days before the Assembly election, the long-term impact will likely be a deepening polarization of voter bases. The immediate future will see continued legal scrutiny of the allegations regarding foreign assets and passports, as the police investigate the validity of the FIR amidst the political noise. Whether this legal pursuit is viewed as a necessary step for justice or a political weapon depends entirely on the unfolding media narrative and the eventual outcome of the election.
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