New Delhi: The Telangana High Court on Friday granted one week’s transit anticipatory bail to Congress leader Pawan Khera in a case registered by Assam Police on charges of defamation, forgery and criminal conspiracy.The court directed that Khera be granted protection for seven days so that he can approach the appropriate court having jurisdiction and file a regular anticipatory bail petition. After hearing the case, Justice K Sujana passed this order.“The petitioner (Khera) is granted one week’s time to file the application before the concerned court,” the high court said in its order, Bar and Bench reported. The case against Khera was registered in Assam following his public remarks in which he alleged that Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, had multiple foreign passports and undeclared assets abroad. The complaint leveled allegations under several provisions including defamation, forgery, cheating, criminal intimidation and criminal conspiracy.Assam Police reportedly went to Khera’s residence in Delhi on April 7, but he was not present at that time. He later approached the concerned court in Assam and moved the Telangana High Court seeking transit anticipatory bail to prevent his arrest.Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Kheda, argued that the case reflected political vendetta and excessive use of criminal provisions. He raised questions on the FIR, saying that despite a complaint arising from a press conference, several offenses have been added.On the other hand, Assam Advocate General Devjit Saikia questioned why Khera approached the Telangana High Court despite living in Delhi and the case being registered in Assam.He said there was no indication that Kheda faced any threat in Assam and the state was not a ‘banana republic’.Saika said, “There is no indication that he cannot come to Assam. Assam is not a banana republic. There is no threat to his life.” The legal dispute came to light when Kheda approached the court claiming that he was not provided a copy of the FIR and the allegations were not a valid criminal case. He also argued that the allegations were politically motivated.