New Delhi, May 2 -- The Supreme Court on Thursday granted anticipatory bail to Congress leader Pawan Khera in a case related to his alleged defamatory remarks targetting Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, saying the entire case is tinged with political rivalry. A bench of justices JK Maheshwari and AS Chandurkar, in its order released on Friday, said that individual liberty is a cherished fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution which cannot be imperiled by a case coloured by political rivalry. The court said, "The criminal process must be applied with objectivity and circumspection so as to ensure that individual liberty is not imperiled by proceedings that may be coloured by political rivalry." Khera had alleged that Sarma's wife possessed multiple passports and owned properties abroad. The bench had reserved its verdict on Thursday after hearing extensive arguments from senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appearing for Khera and solicitor general Tushar Mehta who represented the state. The top court's order required Khera to cooperate with the investigation and not to leave the country without prior permission of the trial court. He was further required not to influence or tamper with the evidence during the pendency of investigation or trial. "The appellant is directed to be released on anticipatory bail in the event of his arrest in the Crime Branch P.S. Case No. 04/2026 and on such reasonable terms and conditions which may be put by the Investigating Officer as deemed fit," stated the order....