PAWAN KHERA Vs. STATE OF ASSAM

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner is the Chairperson of the Media and Publicity Department of the Indian National Congress. He held a press conference on 17/2/2023 in Mumbai. On 20/2/2023, a complaint was lodged at the Hazratganj Police Station in Lucknow, which was converted into an FIR bearing No 65/2023 for offences punishable under Ss. 153A, 500, 504 and 505(2) of the Indian Penal Code 1860 ["IPC"]. On 20/2/2023, another FIR bearing No 86/2023 was registered at Varanasi for offences punishable under Ss. 153A, 295A and 505 of IPC. Today (23/2/2023), the petitioner was deboarded from an Indigo flight travelling from Delhi to Raipur on the ground that he was to be arrested by the Assam Police.

(2.) A communication has been addressed by SI Lakhindra Saikia of Haflong Police Station, Dima Hasao, Assam to the SHO, Police Station, Domestic Airport, New Delhi stating that the petitioner is required to be apprehended in connection with Haflong PS Case No 19 of 2023 for offences punishable under Ss. 153A/153B(1)/500/504/505(1)(b)/505(2) and 120B of IPC.

(3.) The jurisdiction of this Court under Article 32 of the Constitution has been invoked for diverse reliefs, including: