NEW DELHI: The Gauhati high court on Friday rejected Congress leader Pawan Khera’s anticipatory bail plea in a case filed by Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, wife of Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.The FIR stems from Khera’s allegations that Sharma held multiple foreign passports and undisclosed overseas assets.

During the previous hearing, Khera’s counsel, led by Abhishek Manu Singhvi, argued that he was not a flight risk and that arrest was unnecessary, calling the case politically motivated.

The Assam government, represented by Advocate General Devajit Lon Saikia, opposed relief, arguing the case involved serious offences including cheating and forgery, not merely defamation. The court had earlier reserved its order after extensive arguments from both sides.The Telangana High Court had earlier granted him a seven-day transit anticipatory bail, but the Assam Police moved the Supreme Court against it.