The Gauhati High Court on Friday rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Congress leader Pawan Khera in connection with a criminal case registered in Assam over his alleged remarks targeting Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his family during the ongoing Assembly election campaign.
Soon after the order, Sarma declined to comment on the development, citing the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct. Speaking to reporters, the Chief Minister said he would refrain from making any statement at present as election norms were in force.
“I don’t want to comment because the Model Code of Conduct is in place. Whatever the outcome of the case will be, it is entirely up to the Assam Police. I will review the case only after 4th May if I come back to power,” Sarma said.
Khera had moved the High Court seeking protection from arrest after being named in an FIR linked to statements he made at a press conference in Guwahati. The ruling BJP described the remarks as defamatory and politically motivated, triggering a police complaint and subsequent investigation.
The Congress, however, alleged that the case was politically driven and aimed at intimidating opposition voices in the middle of a high-stakes electoral contest. The party maintained that Khera’s remarks were part of legitimate political criticism and should not invite criminal proceedings.
Officials said the case is being handled by Assam Police in accordance with legal procedure. With the court declining to grant pre-arrest bail, Khera now faces the possibility of coercive action in the case unless he secures relief from a higher judicial forum.
The Model Code of Conduct, which came into effect after the announcement of the Assembly election schedule, restricts governments and public representatives from making statements or taking actions that could influence voters. It also requires those in office to exercise restraint on politically sensitive matters during the election period.
Sarma’s decision to avoid direct comment is seen as an attempt to adhere to these guidelines while keeping the government formally distanced from the legal proceedings involving a political opponent.
Counting of votes for the Assam Assembly elections is scheduled for May 4, after which the political and administrative stance on the case could become clearer depending on the electoral outcome.
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