The Congress leader appeared before the Crime Branch again after being grilled for nearly 12 hours over allegations linked to forged documents
Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera on Thursday appeared before the Assam Crime Branch for a second consecutive day of questioning in connection with the passport controversy case linked to Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Khera had earlier been questioned for nearly 12 hours by Assam Police over allegations that he presented forged documents during press conferences accusing Riniki Bhuyan Sarma of possessing multiple passports and offshore assets.
Speaking to reporters outside the Crime Branch office in Guwahati on Wednesday after the first round of questioning, Khera said he was fully cooperating with the investigation.
“We are all law-abiding people. We do our work. I am co-operating with them,” he said.
When asked about the lengthy interrogation and its purpose, the Congress leader declined to comment in detail. Referring to the documents under investigation, Khera said, “The documents you have seen on Facebook.”
He also confirmed that investigators had asked him to submit certain documents and said he had been directed to return to the Crime Branch office again at 9:30 am on Thursday.
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi also reached the Crime Branch office during Khera’s appearance and accused the BJP government of using investigative agencies to target opposition leaders.
Gogoi said Khera was complying with all legal procedures and exercising his constitutional rights within the framework of the law.
The Congress leader alleged that the FIR against Khera was an attempt to suppress discussions surrounding alleged illegal wealth and properties linked to the Assam Chief Minister’s family.
He further claimed that central agencies such as the CBI, Enforcement Directorate (ED), Income Tax Department and police were increasingly being used against opposition leaders, activists, students, journalists and farmers instead of investigating corruption within the ruling establishment.
During the interaction with the media, Congress leaders also raised several Assam-related political issues, including the delay in granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities, the pending National Register of Citizens (NRC) process and the implementation of the Assam Accord.
The Congress additionally attacked the BJP over the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC), accusing the ruling party of using the issue for political purposes.
The party claimed that while the BJP speaks about “uniformity,” it does not genuinely believe in equal rights and protections for all citizens. Congress leaders also warned that implementation of the UCC could weaken traditional customs and legal protections available to Scheduled Tribes in different parts of the country.
The investigation in the passport controversy case is currently underway.
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