The Telangana High Court reserved its order on Friday in the transit anticipatory bail petition of Congress leader Pawan Khera. He appeared in Hyderabad as he sought protection from arrest in a case lodged by Assam police over his remarks about the passport status of the Assam Chief Minister Hemanth Biswa Sarma.
The FIR says the remarks were not random but part of a planned exercise intended to influence the poll process, and it describes the allegations as defamatory in nature.
The hearing before Justice K. Sujana focused on whether Khera should be granted transit anticipatory bail, with the court likely to decide in a day or two; the bench reserved its order for Friday.
Khera’s counsel argued for protection against arrest in Assam, while investigators pressed for action under the terms of the defamation case. The matter highlights how political rhetoric can trigger legal scrutiny ahead of elections.
As Hyderabad observers monitor the case, questions remain about the balance between free speech and accountability in comments tied to political leaders and government families.
