The Indian National Congress on Tuesday intensified its attack on Himanta Biswa Sarma after a team of Assam Police searched the Delhi residence of party leader Pawan Khera in connection with a passport controversy.
The police action followed a criminal defamation complaint filed by Riniki Bhuyan Sarma over allegations made by Khera that she possessed multiple passports, including those of India, the UAE and Egypt. The Sarma family has strongly denied the claims, calling them fabricated.
Congress Calls Action ‘Witch Hunt’
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticised the police move, alleging misuse of state machinery. “The deployment of a full army of police officials to arrest my colleague proves that the Assam chief minister is disturbed, desperate and rattled,” he said.
He added that the action was “not due process but a witch hunt” aimed at silencing opposition voices raising questions in public interest.
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate also questioned the police operation. “Serious allegations have been made. Instead of responding, why is the police being used to threaten critics?” she asked.
Kharge Demands Probe Into Allegations
Party president Mallikarjun Kharge called for an independent investigation into the matter. “The Centre must probe allegations about assets abroad and multiple passports,” he said, urging transparency.
The controversy began after Khera, during a press conference, alleged that the chief minister’s family had undisclosed foreign assets and that his wife held multiple citizenship-linked documents.
Police Search and Seizure Details
Officials said a case had been registered in Guwahati and that a police team visited Khera’s Delhi residence to question him. However, he was not present at the time, with party sources saying he was in Hyderabad.
A police officer said, “We came in search of him but he was not found. Some electronic devices have been seized, and further investigation is underway.”
Authorities added that Khera’s whereabouts were being tracked and he would be questioned soon.
Sarma Hits Back at Congress
Responding to the controversy, Himanta Sarma dismissed the allegations and accused the Congress of spreading misinformation. He claimed the documents cited were “AI-generated and doctored.”
“I will take stringent action against Pawan Khera. The law will take its own course,” Sarma said, also alleging links between Congress leaders and foreign entities, a charge rejected by the party.
He further claimed that Khera had “run away” after the police reached his residence, intensifying the political war of words.
