The police action relates to a high-profile passport controversy involving the Assam Chief Minister’s family. The visit to Khera’s home in Nizamuddin East occurred after a criminal defamation FIR was lodged by Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, wife of CM Sarma.

In a post on ‘X’, Jairam Ramesh condemned the “deployment” of police officials outside Khera’s residence, describing it as a “witch hunt” and an effort by a “bully” using state resources to “muzzle and silence the voice of the Opposition that is exposing his many black deeds.” He stated: “The deployment of a full army of police officials to arrest my colleague Pawan Khera for asking basic questions in the public interest proves that the Assam CM is disturbed, desperate, and rattled. This is not due process but instead a witch hunt, a bully using state machinery to muzzle and silence the voice of the Opposition that is exposing his many black deeds. Those who intimidate are the ones who are afraid and have much to hide. It also proves that the CM is facing imminent defeat.”

Congress leader Supriya Shrinate also questioned the Assam Police’s actions, urging CM Sarma to respond to serious allegations made by Pawan Khera rather than “threatening” and using “obscene language.” She said: “Serious corruption allegations have been made against Himanta Biswa Sarma, with witnesses and evidence. Pawan Khera ji has made some allegations. Please respond to them. Why are you using these dirty abuses, making strange expressions, and trying to threaten people? Why is your police coming to Delhi to threaten? Hey, serious corruption allegations have been made against you and your family–respond to them. We are not making any out-of-India allegations; these are being made with witnesses and evidence.”

Two days earlier, Pawan Khera held a press conference accusing Riniki Bhuyan Sarma of holding three passports (from India, the UAE, and Egypt), owning undisclosed luxury properties in Dubai, and possessing a company in Wyoming, USA. The Sarma family strongly denied these claims, describing the documents shared by Khera as “AI-generated fabrications” and “doctored images” sourced from Pakistani social media groups.

Earlier on Tuesday, CM Sarma alleged that Pawan Khera “ran away” to Hyderabad from New Delhi following Assam Police searches of his residence amid the passport row. Speaking to ANI, Sarma said: “He ran away from Guwahati yesterday. I have come to know through the media that the police have gone to his residence in Delhi, but he has run away to Hyderabad. The law will take its own course.”

At a press conference in Guwahati on Monday, CM Sarma vowed to take “stringent action” against Pawan Khera, stating: “I will take stringent action against Congress leader Pawan Khera. Just wait for a few days. We will win at least 100 seats in the elections.”

CM Sarma further rebutted allegations linking his family to apartments in Dubai, claiming property documents were stolen from the platform Scribd. He asserted the Congress was “finished” in Assam, citing an increase in NDA seats following the controversy. He reiterated claims of Pakistani links in the passport row involving Congress leaders Gaurav Gogoi and Pawan Khera over his wife Riniki Bhuyan Sharma.

He said: “Congress is finished in Assam. Just look at the ‘Satta Bazar’ rate yesterday. After making this allegation, the seats for NDA went up to 99. In the morning, it was 94 for NDA. By night, it became 99. Just an indication, today there will be more people in my meeting. Congress had trapped VP Singh’s son in the same way.”

Escalating his remarks, the Chief Minister questioned Congress leaders Gaurav Gogoi and Pawan Khera over alleged foreign connections: “Why did you take help from a Pakistani social media group? So whatever has been said about us, we will go to court, everything, but my allegation is why Pakistan is helping Gaurav Gogoi.”

Assam is scheduled to hold Assembly elections on April 9, with campaigning concluding Tuesday evening and vote counting planned for May 4.