In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed the Telangana High Court’s order that had granted interim protection from arrest to Congress leader Pawan Khera in connection with a case linked to remarks about Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma.

A bench comprising Justices J K Maheshwari and A S Chandurkar issued notice to Khera and other parties while putting the High Court’s order on hold, effectively withdrawing the one-week transit anticipatory bail that had shielded him from arrest.

During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Assam government, argued that Khera’s move to approach the Telangana High Court in a case registered in Assam amounted to “forum shopping” and a misuse of legal process. The apex court took note of the submission while granting the stay.

The case originates from statements made by Khera on April 5, in which he alleged that Riniki Bhuyan Sarma held multiple passports and undisclosed foreign assets. The Sarma family has strongly rejected these allegations, calling them “false and fabricated.”

Following the remarks, an FIR was lodged at the Guwahati Crime Branch Police Station under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including sections related to making false statements in connection with elections and cheating.

With the Supreme Court stepping in, the matter has now entered a crucial phase. The court has sought responses from all parties and scheduled the next hearing after three weeks, keeping the High Court’s relief in abeyance until further orders.