Supreme Court stays Telangana HC order granting transit anticipatory bail to Pawan Khera

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (April 15, 2026) stayed the order of the Telangana High Court granting one-week transit anticipatory bail to Congress leader and spokesperson Pawan Khera in connection with an FIR filed by Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, over allegations that she held multiple passports.

A Bench of Justices J.K. Maheshwari and A.S. Chandurkar said it was “surprised” by the High Court’s order, and observed that if the Congress leader were to move an application for anticipatory bail before the appropriate court in Assam, the stay would not operate to his detriment or invite any adverse inference. The Bench also issued notice to Mr. Khera and other respondents, seeking their responses to the Assam government’s plea challenging the High Court’s order.