CM Sarma says ‘absconded’, Congress cries witch hunt
NEW DELHI: The Assam Police on Tuesday said Congress leader Pawan Khera was not found at his Delhi residence and his current location is unknown, adding that efforts are underway to “trace him out”.
A police team reached Khera’s house in the national capital earlier in the day as part of an investigation linked to allegations made by him against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife.
The action follows an FIR filed by Riniki Bhuyan Sarma on Monday after Khera alleged that she held multiple foreign passports, a claim strongly denied by the Chief Minister and his family.
Speaking outside the residence, a police official said, “A case has been registered… We wanted to talk to Pawan Khera… We couldn’t meet him as he is not here… We found some things in his house, but I will not disclose the details… We don’t know where he is right now, but we will trace him out…”
Chief Minister Sarma dismissed the allegations as false and said they had been “completely exposed”. He claimed that the countries mentioned in the allegations had rejected the claims.
“The Congress lies are now fully exposed. All three countries have denied the claims made by Pawan Khera,” he said.
He also alleged that Khera was trying to avoid questioning. “Assam Police went to his residence, but he absconded,” he said, adding that the Congress leader may have gone to Hyderabad.
Sarma maintained that the accusations were politically driven and intended to damage his reputation ahead of elections. He said the government would pursue the matter legally and take action against those spreading misinformation.
The controversy began after Khera questioned the alleged foreign links of the Chief Minister’s family, including claims about passports and overseas properties. These have been repeatedly denied by Sarma and his family, who have termed the allegations baseless.
Congress leaders criticised the police visit, calling it excessive and politically motivated.
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said the move showed the Chief Minister was “disturbed, desperate and rattled”. In a post on X, he described the police action as a “witch hunt” aimed at silencing opposition voices.
Party leader Supriya Shrinate also questioned the move, asking the Chief Minister to respond to the allegations instead of using state machinery to target opponents.
Meanwhile, Sarma reiterated that strict action would be taken in the case and said the law would take its course.
Agencies