Tensions between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress have reached a boiling point in Assam. On April 6, 2026, the Assam Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera, slapping serious charges including defamation, forgery, and criminal conspiracy.
The case stems from explosive allegations made by Khera against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, just days before the state’s assembly elections. The controversy has triggered a massive political firestorm, involving high-stakes police raids, allegations of evidence of tampering, and a war of words between top political leaders.
This comprehensive blog breaks down everything you need to know: the timeline of events, the specific legal sections invoked, the police manhunt, and the political fallout.
Key Highlights of the Case
Particular | Details |
Event | FIR filed against Congress leader Pawan Khera |
Charges | Defamation, Forgery, Criminal Conspiracy, and more |
Complainant | Riniki Bhuyan Sharma (Wife of Assam CM) |
FIR Number | 0004/2026 |
Police Station | Crime Branch Police Station, Guwahati |
Date of Incident | April 5, 2026 (Press Conferences) |
Date of FIR | April 6, 2026 (Midnight) |
Legal Code | Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 |
Total Sections | Charges under 14 sections of the BNS |
What Sparked the Controversy?
The controversy erupted on April 5, 2026, when Pawan Khera held two press conferences—one at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi and another at a hotel in Guwahati. During these briefings, Khera produced documents and visual presentations alleging that:
Riniki Bhuyan Sharma holds three passports from India, the UAE, and Egypt.
She possesses a “Golden Card” issued by the UAE.
She owns undisclosed luxury properties in Dubai.
She is linked to a shell company registered in Wyoming, USA, which was not declared in the Chief Minister’s election affidavit.
Khera claimed that these assets were intentionally hidden by CM Sarma in his poll affidavit to mislead the public and the Election Commission.
The Complaint: Why Riniki Bhuyan Sharma Moved to Court
Just hours after the press conferences, around midnight on April 5, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma filed a formal complaint with the Crime Branch of the Assam Police in Guwahati. In her complaint, she categorically and unequivocally denied every single allegation.
The complaint described the allegations as “false, fabricated, baseless, and malicious”. It further stated that no such passports, citizenships, assets, or documents have ever existed or were ever applied for in her name. The complaint argued that Khera’s conduct was not "protected political criticism" but a deliberate and coordinated effort to cause reputational harm.
Legal Breakdown: The 14 BNS Charges Explained
The FIR registered under FIR No. 0004/2026 at the Crime Branch Police Station is not a simple defamation case. The police have invoked a staggering 14 sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. These include:
Forgery of documents and electronic records: For allegedly creating fake documents to back the claims.
Use of forged documents as genuine: For presenting those documents in public.
Defamation: For damaging the reputation of the complainant.
Criminal conspiracy: For allegedly coordinating with others to execute this plan.
False statement in connection with an election: Specifically targeting the timing of the allegations.
Criminal intimidation & intentional insult: For provoking a breach of peace.
Cheating and acts intended to cause public mischief.
The FIR also names "unknown others" as accused, suggesting that the police intend to investigate the entire chain of people who may have helped Khera prepare the documents.
The Police Hunt: Raids in Delhi and Hyderabad
Raid in Delhi
Following the registration of the FIR, an Assam Police team led by DCP (Crime) Debajit Nath traveled to New Delhi. Accompanied by the Delhi Police, they reached Pawan Khera’s residence in the Nizamuddin East area on April 7 to question him and conduct a search.
However, when the team arrived, Khera was not present. The police proceeded with the search and seized several electronic devices, including laptops and mobile phones. DCP Nath confirmed that they found some "incriminating material" on the devices, although the specific details were not disclosed publicly due to the ongoing investigation.
The Hunt Moves to Hyderabad
CM Himanta Biswa Sarma alleged that Khera had "fled" to Hyderabad to evade arrest. Subsequently, the Assam Crime Branch team landed in Hyderabad, believing Khera was hiding there.
Reports confirmed that the police team visited Khera’s house in Banjara Hills and his wife's party office in the city to trace him. The Assam police will need the cooperation of the Telangana Police (a Congress-ruled state) to continue their search and possibly detain Khera for questioning.
Political War of Words
The BJP/CM Sarma’s Stance
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has taken a very aggressive stance. Addressing reporters in Sivasagar, he made a dramatic statement, vowing that the Assam Police would catch Khera even from "Paatal" (the netherworld) to find out who gave him the forged documents.
Sarma dismissed the documents shown by Khera as "AI-generated fake." He also leveled a serious allegation, stating, “I suspect that Rahul Gandhi gave this document to them. So, this case will reach even Rahul Gandhi”. The BJP has asserted that if someone makes fake allegations about the CM’s family, they must face the consequences.
The Congress Party’s Reaction
The Congress party has rallied behind its leader, calling the police action a "witch hunt".
Jairam Ramesh (Congress Communications Chief) posted on X that the deployment of a "full army of police officials" proves the CM is "disturbed, desperate, and rattled." He accused the CM of using state machinery to muzzle the voice of the Opposition.
Supriya Shrinate asked the CM why he is resorting to intimidation instead of answering the charges levelled by Khera.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said, “They have already filed an FIR against Khera. Let them probe the matter. We will face the case as it progresses.” He also demanded a probe by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) or CBI into the original asset allegations made by Khera.
Why This Case Matters
1. Electoral Impact
The timing of the allegations and the FIR is critical. Assam is going to the polls on April 9, and this controversy has completely dominated the final days of campaigning. The opposition is trying to frame the CM as corrupt, while the BJP is portraying the Congress as a party that spreads lies and fake news.
2. Legal Precedent
This is one of the first high-profile cases where the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) is being used to its full extent. The sheer number of sections invoked (14) indicates that the legal battle ahead will be long and complex. If convicted under the forgery sections, the punishment can be severe.
3. Freedom of Speech vs. Defamation
The case has raised important questions about the limits of political criticism. While politicians have the right to ask questions, the law draws out a line when allegations are made without proof or when documents are allegedly fabricated. The court will eventually have to decide whether Khera’s actions amounted to "public interest" or "malicious defamation."
What Happens Next?
Arrest/Questioning: The Assam Police will continue their efforts to trace Pawan Khera. He will likely be detained for questioning in Hyderabad or Delhi.
Forensic Analysis: The electronic devices seized from Khera’s home will be sent for forensic analysis to check if the documents he presented were indeed "forged" or "AI-generated."
Court Proceedings: Given the gravity of the charges (forgery and criminal conspiracy), Khera will have to apply for anticipatory bail to avoid arrest.
Counter-Probe: The Congress party has demanded an ED or CBI probe into the original asset allegations. This could lead to a parallel investigation against the CM’s family.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What exact charges has Pawan Khera been booked under? He has been booked under 14 sections of the BNS, primarily forgery, defamation, criminal conspiracy, and cheating.
Q2: Who filed the complaint against Pawan Khera? Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, the wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Q3: Why did the police go to Hyderabad? CM Himanta Biswa Sarma alleged that Khera fled to Hyderabad after the FIR was filed. The Assam Police team traveled there to trace and question him.
Q4: What was found during the raid in Delhi? The police seized electronic devices (laptops/phones) and claimed to have found "incriminating material" during the search of his Delhi residence.
Q5: What did Khera originally accuse the CM’s wife of? He accused her of holding three passports (India, UAE, Egypt), owning a "Golden Card" of the UAE, having undisclosed property in Dubai, and owning a shell company in the USA.
Q6: What is the BJP’s defense? The BJP claims the documents shown by Khera are "AI-generated fake" and that the Congress is trying to vitiate the electoral atmosphere.
Conclusion
The police FIR against Pawan Khera marks one of the most intense political-legal clashes in Assam's recent history. While the Congress frames this as a desperate act by a rattled Chief Minister for misusing state machinery, the BJP and CM Sarma view it as a legitimate response to a pre-planned conspiracy involving forged documents.
As the Assam Assembly elections reach their climax on April 9, the timing of this case continues to influence public discourse. Regardless of the political outcome, the legal proceedings against Khera will likely unfold over the coming months, setting significant precedents regarding political speech, the use of digital evidence, and the boundaries of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Stay tuned to official legal channels for the latest updates on the bail hearings and forensic reports. This is a developing story, and the truth—whether the allegations are real, or the documents are fake—will ultimately be decided by the courts.
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