New Delhi, May 1: The Congress Party expressed its appreciation on Friday for the Supreme Court’s decision granting anticipatory bail to senior leader Pawan Khera. This bail was issued in connection with an FIR filed by the Assam police based on a complaint from the wife of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Congress communication in-charge Jairam Ramesh and party MP Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi addressed a press conference, emphasizing that the Supreme Court’s ruling underscores the primacy of personal freedom. They stated that arrest should not be a routine action but a last resort, especially in cases of alleged defamation.
Dr. Singhvi, Khera’s lawyer, noted that the Supreme Court’s decision reinforces the legal principle that any arrest must be justified based on a triple test: the risk of flight, tampering with evidence, or influencing witnesses. Failing to meet these criteria risks turning the detention process into a means of humiliation, harassment, and political advantage.
He stressed that Congress is not celebrating this outcome but learning from it.
Claiming that the relief from the Supreme Court has strengthened their faith in the country’s judiciary, Jairam Ramesh stated that it proves the flame of justice is still very much alive in India.
Dr. Singhvi further explained that this case has traversed multiple judicial platforms, from the magistrate court in Kamrup, Assam, to the Telangana High Court, the Supreme Court, and back to the Guwahati High Court. Ultimately, the judiciary provided protection against injustice.
He pointed out that the Assam government’s petition for Khera’s arrest was fabricated, speculative, and baseless, having been dismissed by a local magistrate. This serves as an example of how lower judiciary protects against executive overreach.
He argued that most of the allegations were bailable and contended that the request for custodial interrogation was unnecessary. It was against the principles of anticipatory bail and the presumption of innocence.
Singhvi noted that the ruling acknowledged that these matters arose during a political campaign, and freedom of speech should be preserved to maintain democratic systems.
The senior Congress leader criticized Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma‘s statements, labeling them unparliamentary and unacceptable. He warned that such remarks threaten constitutional norms.
He urged the Chief Minister to reflect on his words and hoped that Sarma would express regret, if not an apology, as this would elevate both his and the overall democratic standards.
He also mentioned that the Solicitor General did not defend the controversial statements in court, highlighting it as a significant aspect of the proceedings.
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