Assam Moves Supreme Court Against Telangana HC’s Transit Anticipatory Bail to Pawan Khera

April 13, 2026 : The Supreme Court of India is set to examine a plea filed by the Assam government challenging the grant of transit anticipatory bail to Congress leader Pawan Khera by the Telangana High Court.

The High Court had granted Khera interim protection from arrest for a limited period, allowing him to approach the competent court in Assam for regular anticipatory bail. The relief was granted in connection with an FIR registered by the Assam Police over remarks allegedly made by Khera concerning the wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

In its appeal before the apex court, the Assam government has questioned the legal basis of granting transit anticipatory bail in a case arising outside the territorial jurisdiction of the Telangana High Court. The plea raises a significant question on the scope of such relief and whether High Courts can extend interim protection in inter-State criminal matters.

The FIR against Khera includes multiple penal provisions linked to statements made during a media interaction. While granting relief, the Telangana High Court had clarified that its order was purely temporary and intended to enable the accused to seek appropriate remedies before the jurisdictional court.

The issue now before the Supreme Court is expected to test the evolving jurisprudence on transit anticipatory bail, particularly the balance between safeguarding personal liberty and respecting jurisdictional limits of courts across States.

The matter is likely to be taken up for hearing in due course.