Assam CM’s wife files complaint against Pawan Khera
Dispur: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday announced that he and his wife will file both civil and criminal defamation suits against Congress leader Pawan Khera following claims that his spouse, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, holds multiple passports.
At a press conference in the national capital, Pawan Khera alleged that documents showed Riniki Bhuyan Sharma possessing three active passports, suggesting this raised questions about her Indian citizenship. He also urged the Chief Election Commissioner to bar Sarma from contesting in Assam’s upcoming assembly polls.
In response, Sarma took to X to categorically reject the accusations, calling them “malicious, fabricated, politically motivated and misleading.”
“These allegations are lies aimed at misleading the people of Assam. I completely reject every claim made by him,” the CM said.
Sarma emphasized his confidence in the judiciary, stating that Khera would “face the consequences of his actions” once the matter is examined in court.
Legal Notices to Be Filed Within 48 Hours
The Chief Minister announced that both criminal and civil defamation cases would be filed against Khera within the next 48 hours.
“He will be held fully accountable for his reckless and defamatory statements. I have full faith in the judiciary,” Sarma added.
Assam Polls and Political Context
Sarma also reiterated his belief in an NDA landslide in the upcoming Assam Assembly elections, asserting that voters will not be swayed by what he termed “baseless propaganda.”
CM Highlights Alleged Discrepancies in Documents
In a detailed note, Sarma pointed out several inconsistencies in the documents displayed by Khera, describing them as examples of “digital manipulation.” These included:
He argued that these discrepancies strongly indicate fabrication.
Riniki Bhuyan Sharma Hits Back
Riniki Bhuyan Sharma also responded on X, dismissing the documents shown by Khera as “poorly fabricated images” and attributing errors to alleged AI generation and photoshopping.
“I expected a national party spokesperson to exercise due diligence rather than circulate imaginary passports and documents,” she wrote, adding that criminal charges will be pursued.
Congress Leaders Demand Investigation
The controversy sparked further political attacks. All India Congress Committee Media Chairman Pawan Khera questioned how the CM’s wife could reportedly hold passports from multiple countries, including two predominantly Muslim nations, given India’s prohibition on dual citizenship.
APCC President Gaurav Gogoi also weighed in, demanding a probe into Sarma’s assets and asking the Chief Minister to “answer these allegations and pay for his crime.”
The allegations come just days before Assam’s single‑phase Assembly elections on April 9, where all 126 constituencies go to polls.
