Sarma–Khera Row Escalates as Police Visit Congress Leader’s Residence

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday alleged that Congress leader Pawan Khera had travelled to Hyderabad amid an ongoing police inquiry linked to a passport-related controversy involving his wife.

Earlier in the day, a joint team of Assam Police and Delhi Police visited Khera’s residence in Nizamuddin, New Delhi, following the registration of a First Information Report (FIR). The four-member Assam Police team, acting in coordination with local authorities, had reportedly informed Delhi Police in advance. However, Khera was not present at his residence at the time of the visit, and officials remained on site awaiting his return for questioning.

The development follows a series of allegations made by Khera, who heads the All India Congress Committee’s media and publicity department. He had claimed that documents in his possession indicated that Riniki Bhuyan Sharma may have held multiple foreign passports, raising questions about potential violations of Indian laws, which do not permit dual citizenship.

Khera further alleged that she possessed passports from the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Antigua and Barbuda, and raised concerns over alleged property links in Dubai, as well as business associations in Wyoming, United States. He questioned whether she simultaneously held an Indian passport, which, if proven, would constitute a legal violation.

Responding to the allegations, Sarma stated that his wife had lodged an FIR against Khera, warning that the use of allegedly fabricated or forged documents could attract stringent legal action under provisions related to cheating and forgery. He also alleged that the material used to support the claims originated from external sources, including a Pakistan-based social media network.

The Congress party, however, strongly criticised the police action. Party spokesperson Supriya Shrinate accused the Chief Minister of attempting to deflect attention and called on him to respond substantively to the allegations rather than resorting to intimidation or personal remarks.

Meanwhile, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma firmly denied all accusations. She rejected claims of holding multiple passports, reiterating that Indian law does not allow dual citizenship. She also dismissed allegations regarding overseas assets as baseless, describing them as fabricated and possibly generated using artificial intelligence. Addressing claims of property ownership in Dubai, she clarified that the reference pertained to a hotel room and not to any real estate asset.

The controversy has since intensified, with both sides maintaining sharply divergent positions, even as legal scrutiny and political exchanges continue.