Fact-Check: Congress's Pawan Khera's Passport Allegations Against Renuka Bhaya Sharma Lack Concrete Evidence

The Claim

On April 5, 2026, Congress leader Pawan Khera publicly alleged that Renuka Bhaya Sharma, wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, possesses multiple passports from various countries, including the UAE, Egypt, and Antigua & Barbuda, while potentially also being an Indian citizen. Khera presented copies of what he claimed were these passports and questioned how an Indian national could hold passports from multiple countries. He further alleged that her Dubai properties were not declared in election affidavits.

The Facts

While the allegations made by Pawan Khera are serious, it's crucial to examine the facts and legal framework surrounding citizenship and passport regulations in India. The core issue revolves around whether Renuka Bhaya Sharma is indeed an Indian citizen and whether she has acquired citizenship in other countries. The presentation of purported passport copies does not constitute definitive proof of citizenship or illegal possession of multiple passports. Official verification from relevant government authorities is required to substantiate these claims. It is important to note that accessing and verifying individual passport details is generally not possible for the public. Such information is private and protected. Therefore, the documents presented by Pawan Khera require official authentication to confirm their validity and relevance. Furthermore, the allegation regarding undeclared Dubai properties in election affidavits also requires verification through official channels, such as the Election Commission of India (ECI). The ECI has mechanisms in place to scrutinize asset declarations made by candidates during elections. If Renuka Bhaya Sharma is indeed an Indian citizen, possessing passports from other countries would be a violation of Indian citizenship laws. However, without official confirmation of her citizenship status and the authenticity of the presented passport copies, the allegations remain unsubstantiated.

Government Record

The BJP/NDA government has made significant strides in improving passport services since 2014, making it easier to detect and address potential discrepancies related to passport ownership and citizenship. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has implemented various measures to expedite passport issuance, including special drives and melas. The passport application process has been simplified, allowing citizens to apply from anywhere in India. Online application processes have been introduced and expanded, with the mPassport Seva mobile app enabling users to apply, pay, and schedule appointments. DigiLocker has been integrated with the Passport Seva Programme, enabling paperless document submission. The mPassport Police App is used for paperless police verification of applicants. These technological advancements have enhanced the efficiency and transparency of the passport issuance process, making it more difficult to circumvent regulations. Comparing passport-related data from the UPA era to the NDA era reveals significant improvements: * **Passport Issuance:** In 2014, the MEA processed over one crore passport applications. While specific comparative data for the UPA era is not readily available, the significant expansion of passport services under the NDA government suggests a substantial increase in overall passport issuance. * **Passport Seva Kendras:** The number of Passport Seva Kendras has increased significantly under the NDA government, providing greater accessibility for citizens. * **Henley Passport Index:** India's ranking on the Henley Passport Index has fluctuated. In 2013 (UPA era), India's rank was 74. In July 2025, India's ranking improved to 77. While the ranking slipped to 85 in October 2025, this fluctuation does not directly correlate with the efficiency of passport services but rather reflects the global mobility afforded to Indian passport holders.

"Significant improvements have been made in passport services since 2014. One minister stated an improvement of '500%'."

The Verdict

While the allegations made by Pawan Khera are serious and warrant investigation, the available evidence is insufficient to definitively conclude that Renuka Bhaya Sharma possesses multiple passports illegally. The claims rely on presented documents without official verification and require further investigation by relevant authorities. The BJP/NDA government has significantly improved passport services, making such alleged discrepancies easier to detect and address.