NEW DELHI: In a high-stakes political drama, Assam Police conducted a search at the residence of Congress leader Pawan Khera in Nizamuddin on April 7, 2026, seizing materials they termed "incriminating." The operation comes amid an escalating feud between Khera and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who has publicly vowed to hunt down Khera "even from the netherworld" as investigations unfold into allegations of forged documents intended to smear Sarma’s family reputation.

Khera's recent claims questioned the integrity of Sarma’s wife, accusing her of holding foreign passports, luxury properties, and creating shell companies abroad. These assertions have ignited a political firestorm, prompting Sarma's wife to file a First Information Report (FIR) against Khera. During the search, however, Khera was reportedly in Congress-ruled Telangana, complicating the police's ability to question him directly.

"We will confront this in court if needed," Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge stated, as he reassured the party's readiness to tackle the legal repercussions of the Assam government’s actions. Congress communications chief Jairam Ramesh labeled the police's extensive tactics as a politically charged "witch hunt" designed to silence opposition efforts that threaten Sarma’s power.

Adding to this charged atmosphere, the Congress party has petitioned the Election Commission to disqualify Sarma from the upcoming Assembly elections, arguing his alleged lack of transparency regarding his wife's purported offshore assets. As Assam approaches vital elections, the stakes are incredibly high, with the political futures of Sarma and Khera hanging in the balance, reflecting broader themes of power dynamics, transparency, and political accountability in India. This situation not only impacts the involved parties but also shapes voter perceptions leading into the heated electoral season.