FIR Over Comment Against PM : Supreme Court Extends Interim Bail To Congress Spokesperson Pawan Khera Till March 3

The Supreme Court on Monday extended the interim bail granted to Congress Spokesperson Pawan Khera who was arrested by Assam police from Delhi airport over his comment about Prime Minister Narendra Modi till 3rd March 2023. The matter was listed today before the bench comprising CJI DY Chandrachud, Justice PS Narasimha, and Justice JB Pardiwala. On February 23, the Court had allowed him  interim bail had been granted till 28th February 2023. 

Today Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta for the State of Assam and and Additional Advocate General Garima Prashad for the State of Uttar Pradesh sought time to file their replies in the matter.

CJI DY Chandrachud, noting the same, dictated the following order–

"List on Friday. Counter to be filed by State of Assam and UP. Ad interim protection granted to extend till next date of hearing."

Offences under Section 153A, 153B, 295A, 505 of the Indian Penal Code have been invoked against Khera.

Earlier, the Court had granted him interim relief and ordered that Khera should be released on interim bail on production before the jurisdictional Magistrate at Delhi till the next date of hearing, February 28. "In order to protect the petitioner until such date as he applies for regular bail before jurisdictional court, till the next date of listing, petitioner shall be released on interim bail by the Magistrate at Delhi where he is to produced this evening for transit remand", the Court had ordered. The Court had also issued notice to the States of UP and Assam, which have registered FIRs against him, on the writ petition filed by Khera seeking consolidation of the FIR. The court had also recorded the undertaking given by Khera's lawyer Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi that he will tender unconditional apology for the statement.

Case Title: Pawan Khera v. State of Assam And Ors. WP(Crl) No. 74/2023

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