Guwahati, February 8: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has made serious allegations regarding Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi‘s purported ‘Pakistan connection’ and has demanded a central government investigation into the matter.
The Chief Minister emphasized that this is not a trivial issue but raises significant questions related to national security.
In a conversation with reporters, Sarma highlighted the sensitive nature of the accusations involving Pakistani national Ali Tauqeer Sheikh and Elizabeth Gogoi, Gaurav Gogoi‘s wife. He stated that when a current MP, particularly one who serves as the Deputy Leader of the Congress Party in the Lok Sabha, is implicated, the seriousness of the situation escalates significantly.
“These allegations are very serious. When a sitting member of Parliament, who holds a crucial position in the Congress Party, is found to have any connection to Pakistan, it cannot be overlooked,” Sarma asserted.
The Chief Minister noted that the initial investigation was conducted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the Assam Police. The SIT submitted its report to the state government, which led to the registration of a formal case at a CID police station for further investigation.
According to Sarma, the SIT report was presented to the Assam Cabinet. After detailed discussions, the Cabinet concluded that given the gravity, sensitivity, and far-reaching implications of the allegations, it was essential to hand the investigation over to a central agency.
He stated, “After reviewing the SIT report, the state Cabinet reached the conclusion that it would be appropriate to assign the case to a central agency for a fair and comprehensive investigation.”
The Chief Minister also clarified that the Assam government will formally send the matter to the Ministry of Home Affairs. The case will be handed over to the central government only after obtaining consent from the Ministry.
He added, “We have decided to reach out to the Ministry of Home Affairs. Following a positive response from the Ministry, the investigation will be completely transferred to the center.”
Sarma reiterated that this decision was made with national security and transparency in mind. Investigations into cross-border issues and allegations against public representatives should be conducted without any political pressure, ensuring integrity and adherence to the law. The state government is committed to ensuring a fair and credible investigation.
