Guwahati, May 1 -- The Supreme Court on Friday provided relief to Congress leader Pawan Khera by granting him anticipatory bail in a criminal case involving allegations of defamation and forgery.

The case was registered by Assam Police based on a complaint filed by Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, wife of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

While hearing the matter, a bench of the Apex Court noted that both sides had levelled serious accusations against each other. It observed that the right to personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution cannot be easily compromised.

The Court noted that "the personal liberty of an individual under Article 21 of the Constitution cannot be lightly put at risk at this stage."

The case was taken up by a be...