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A fact check conducted by The Tribune has undermined a major allegation made by Congress leader Pawan Khera against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his wife Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, revealing significant inconsistencies in the timeline and a complete lack of financial evidence supporting the Rs 52,000 crore claim.
The investigation centered on Hrinikinandi LLC, a US-based company that Khera portrayed as a massive financial vehicle connected to Sharma. However, official records tell a dramatically different story that contradicts the Congress leader’s assertions.
According to documents obtained by The Tribune, the company was registered in Wyoming on April 3, 2026, just two days before Khera made his allegations at a press conference. The timing alone raises serious questions about the credibility of the claims. More importantly, there are no financial filings, revenue disclosures, or operational history available in any public records that would substantiate the allegations.
The disparity between Khera’s characterization of Hrinikinandi LLC and its actual status is remarkable. While the Congress leader described it as a multi-billion-dollar enterprise with a proposed budget in the billions and profit distribution figures reaching Rs 52,000 crore, official records show nothing more than a newly incorporated shell company with no verifiable financial activity.
Khera’s allegations came at a politically sensitive time, just days before Assam was scheduled to vote. His April 5 press conference included multiple serious charges against the Chief Minister and his wife. Among these was the claim that Riniki Bhuyan Sharma possesses passports from three countries—UAE, Egypt, and Antigua and Barbuda—which would raise legal questions under Indian law, as the country does not permit dual citizenship.
The Congress leader also alleged that the couple failed to disclose two properties in Dubai’s Al Barsha South Fourth area in the Chief Minister’s election affidavit—a residential flat and a hotel unit valued at over Rs 3 crore. Khera cited documents supposedly issued by the Dubai Land Department to support this claim.
However, it’s the allegation regarding the US company that appears most problematic under scrutiny. Khera referenced a purported resolution dated December 5, 2025, outlining plans for a billion-dollar hospitality venture and detailing profit distribution among three members. The fundamental flaw in this claim is immediately apparent: the resolution predates the company’s legal existence by several months.
This fact-checking effort highlights the importance of verifying political allegations, especially those made during election periods when rhetoric tends to intensify. The Tribune’s investigation demonstrates how public records can be used to establish basic facts and timelines that either support or contradict political claims.
The controversy takes place against the backdrop of heightened political tensions in Assam, where Chief Minister Sarma has been a prominent BJP leader who switched from the Congress party several years ago. Since becoming Chief Minister in 2021, he has faced various allegations from opposition parties, particularly his former political allies.
For voters in Assam, this fact-check provides crucial context for evaluating the political narratives being presented during the election season. It also raises broader questions about the responsibility of political leaders to ensure the accuracy of serious allegations before making them in public forums.
Neither Khera nor the Congress party has yet responded to The Tribune’s fact-check findings. The Chief Minister’s office has consistently denied all allegations, describing them as politically motivated attacks intended to influence the upcoming elections.
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10 Comments
This investigation highlights the need for rigorous fact-checking, especially on high-profile claims involving large sums of money. It’s concerning to see such apparent inconsistencies in the evidence presented.
Absolutely, responsible journalism is crucial to ensure the public has access to accurate information, rather than unsubstantiated allegations.
The timing of the company’s registration so close to the allegations being made raises serious red flags. A thorough, impartial investigation is warranted to determine the facts of this matter.
Absolutely, it’s crucial that the public can trust the information being presented, rather than having to sort through conflicting claims and inconsistencies.
The fact-check seems to raise some valid concerns about the timeline and lack of financial evidence behind Khera’s ₹52,000 crore claim. It’s important to thoroughly investigate such serious allegations before making them public.
Agree, the timing of the company registration just before the allegations were made is certainly questionable and warrants deeper scrutiny.
While I’m curious to learn more about the background to this story, the discrepancies uncovered by the fact-check are quite troubling. It’s important these types of claims are supported by solid evidence before being amplified.
Agreed, more transparency and accountability around the source and verifiability of such claims is needed, especially when they involve high-profile public figures.
This fact-check highlights the importance of verifying claims, even when they come from prominent political figures. Rushing to judgment without solid evidence can undermine public trust in the democratic process.
Agreed, maintaining the integrity of our institutions and decision-making requires a commitment to truth and transparency from all sides.