FIR Over Comment Against PM | Supreme Court Extends Interim Relief To Pawan Khera Till 17th March 2023

The Supreme Court has extended the interim bail granted to Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera and listed his plea on 17th March 2023. Khera was arrested by Assam police from Delhi airport over his comment about Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The matter was listed before a bench comprising CJI DY Chandrachud, Justice PS Narasimha, and Justice JB Pardiwala. 

The Court had earlier ordered that Khera should be released on interim bail on production before the jurisdictional Magistrate at Delhi till February 28, 2023. Later, the court had extended the interim bail till 3rd March 2023. 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.

While the matter was to be taken up today, owing to a heavy board, the court had to adjourn it to 17th March 2023, after the court reopens post Holi vacations. Accordingly, the interim bail granted to him was also extended.

CJI DY Chandrachud asked the Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, who is appearing for the State of Assam, if the State had filed its counter in the matter. When the SG responded to the same in an affirmative, CJI DY Chandrachud informed him that the bench was were yet to receive the counter and it was not on record. SG Meta said–

"It is filed. They have the copy. But we will file it with the registry."

CJI Chandrachud remarked–

"We will renotify it after Friday and keep it on 17th."

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

Click Here To Read/Download Order