Senior Congress leader Ripun Bora on May 13 accused Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of pursuing a “personal vendetta” against Congress national spokesperson Pawan Khera after the latter appeared before the Crime Branch at Pan Bazar Police Station in Guwahati for questioning.

Speaking to reporters, Bora said Khera appeared before the investigating officer as a “law-abiding citizen” in compliance with directions linked to the bail granted by the Supreme Court.

“Pawan Khera has come and appeared before the Crime Branch because when bail is granted, there is a provision that the person has to cooperate with the investigation and appear before the concerned police station for interrogation,” Bora said.

Calling the questioning a “routine process” under legal procedure, Bora maintained that Khera was complying fully with the court’s directions and would be released after interrogation.

However, the Congress leader alleged that the case had turned into a matter of personal prestige for the Assam Chief Minister.

“It is definitely personal vendetta because the Chief Minister has taken it as his personal issue. CM ordered the arrest of Pawan Khera for a very petty reason,” Bora alleged.

He further claimed that while allegations can be made by anyone in a democracy, it is ultimately the court that decides their validity.

“Whether allegations are true or not will be ascertained by the competent court. But the CM took the matter personally and ordered his arrest,” Bora said.

The Congress leader also referred to the legal battle over Khera’s arrest, stating that although relief was denied earlier, the Supreme Court eventually granted him bail.

“Ultimately, we got justice in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court saw the entire matter and granted bail,” Bora said.

He alleged that the Assam government could now attempt to harass Khera through repeated questioning and prolonged interrogation sessions.

“He may be detained for five or six hours repeatedly and harassed, but beyond that the police cannot do anything. Police cannot arrest him in this case after interrogation,” Bora asserted.

The controversy stems from remarks made by Pawan Khera earlier, following which Assam Police had registered a case and initiated legal proceedings against the Congress leader.