The Egyptian Embassy has dismissed as “forged” a document circulating on social media that claims to show an Egyptian passport in the name of Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.In a clarification issued amid a growing political controversy, the Embassy said the document in question is not genuine and does not represent any valid passport issued by Egyptian authorities. It stated that the document appears to be fabricated, with Sharma’s name and photograph placed onto it.The development comes after Pawan Khera of the Congress raised allegations suggesting that Sharma possessed an Egyptian passport, triggering a fresh political row ahead of the ongoing election season in Assam.
Rejecting the claims, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma earlier said she was being unfairly targeted. She suggested that the allegations were politically motivated, linking them to her association with the Chief Minister. Her response came as the issue gained traction on social media and political platforms.The Embassy’s statement has added a new dimension to the controversy, as it directly contradicts the claim made about the existence of such a passport. Officials familiar with the matter said the clarification is expected to influence the political narrative around the issue.
Meanwhile, legal provisions in India clearly state that citizens cannot hold multiple valid passports at the same time. Under the Passports Act, 1967, holding more than one valid Indian passport is not allowed, except in specific cases such as official or diplomatic purposes. India also does not allow dual citizenship. This means an Indian citizen cannot legally possess a foreign passport without first giving up Indian citizenship, making the claims in question legally sensitive.