No Relief for Pawan Khera as SC Declines to Extend Bail Protection

NEW DELHI, Apr 17: The Supreme Court on Friday refused to grant Congress leader Pawan Khera protection from arrest and declined to extend his transit anticipatory bail, directing him to approach the Gauhati High Court for relief.

The top court made it clear that interim protection would not continue beyond the expiry of bail granted earlier by the Telangana High Court, which ended on Friday.

Khera’s counsel, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, had sought extension of protection till Tuesday, stating that a detailed anticipatory bail plea would be filed before the Gauhati High Court on Monday. However, the bench rejected the request.

“We give liberty to the petitioner to approach the High Court which shall not be influenced by the orders passed by us staying the transit bail granted by Telangana High Court,” the bench observed.

The court also clarified that the Gauhati High Court would decide the anticipatory bail plea independently on the basis of material placed before it.

With the Supreme Court declining relief, Khera is left without immediate protection from arrest following the expiry of his transit bail.

The development comes amid rapid legal proceedings over the past two days, with Khera seeking to extend protection while preparing to move the appropriate court.

The focus now shifts to the Gauhati High Court, where Khera is expected to urgently seek anticipatory bail. The court’s decision will determine whether he secures relief or faces possible arrest in the case. (Agencies)