Assam Police Search for Pawan Khera Intensifies Amid Passport Allegation Row
Assam Police intensify search for Congress leader Pawan Khera after passport allegations against CM Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife trigger FIR, raids, and political confrontation ahead of Assam elections.
Khera was last seen in public on April 5, the same day he accused Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, of possessing three passports—from India, the UAE, and Egypt—and owning undisclosed luxury properties in Dubai, along with a company in Wyoming, USA. The allegations surfaced four days before the Assam elections and sparked an immediate and fierce blowback.
Two days later, on Tuesday, a team from Assam Police arrived at Khera’s residence in Nizamuddin East in the national capital. Sources told NDTV that Khera was in Hyderabad at the time. Following a search operation lasting nearly two hours, the police team departed with what they described as “some incriminating material” and electronic devices.
The searches were conducted after an FIR was filed by Riniki Bhuyan Sarma on Monday in connection with the allegations. On Wednesday, Assam Police confirmed that efforts to locate Pawan Khera were ongoing.
Meanwhile, in Hyderabad, police have erected barricades and deployed security outside the residence of Pawan Khera and his wife Neelima in Banjara Hills. Sources within the city police stated that they have not yet been contacted by Assam Police but would cooperate if served with a notice.
Amid escalating developments, sources told NDTV that Pawan Khera may approach court seeking relief from arrest. Responding sharply, Himanta Biswa Sarma alleged that Khera had fled to Hyderabad, asserting that “law will take its own course.”
“Assam Police can find and bring people from ‘pataal’ as well,” the Chief Minister said, visibly angry, reinforcing his stance. Earlier in the week, Sarma had vowed to take “stringent action” against Pawan Khera, adding, “I will take stringent action against Congress leader Pawan Khera. Just wait for a few days. We will win at least 100 seats in the elections,” while rejecting all allegations made against his wife.
The unfolding developments underscore a politically charged confrontation ahead of the Assam polls, with legal action, police operations, and sharp rhetoric intensifying the high-stakes atmosphere.

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