Guwahati: The Assam Cabinet will take a formal decision on February 7 regarding the future course of action on the Special Investigation Team (SIT) report probing alleged links between state Congress president Gaurav Gogoi and Pakistan, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Tuesday.
Addressing a press conference after a cabinet meeting, Sarma said an informal discussion was held on the SIT findings, during which a detailed presentation was made by the Assam Police team constituted to investigate the controversy. He claimed the revelations had shocked members of the cabinet.
“In today’s cabinet meeting, we had an informal discussion on the SIT report. After the presentation, ministers were stunned by the information that emerged,” Sarma said, adding that a formal memorandum would be placed before the cabinet at its next meeting on February 7 to decide the way forward.
The chief minister said the cabinet would determine whether the report should be forwarded to the Union Home Ministry for a probe by central agencies such as the NIA, RAW or Intelligence Bureau, or whether the Assam Police would continue the investigation. “The decision will be taken on February 7, and the matter will be closed on February 8,” he said.
Sarma described the SIT report as “sensitive and shocking” and said the cabinet had authorised him to brief the public on its findings to the extent possible. While some classified details may not be disclosed, he said most facts would be placed in the public domain at a press conference scheduled for 10.30 am on February 8. He added that national media organisations would be facilitated to attend the briefing.
The SIT was constituted to probe alleged interference in India’s internal affairs by Pakistani national Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, who is claimed to have links with Gogoi’s British wife, Elizabeth Colburn. Sarma alleged that the SIT found “direct links” between Gogoi, his wife and Pakistan, and said evidence had been presented to the cabinet. He added that Colburn was examined during the investigation, along with 22 to 25 other individuals.
The chief minister reiterated allegations regarding the citizenship of Gogoi’s wife and children, accusing the Congress leader of placing greater importance on British citizenship. He also repeated earlier claims that Colburn had made multiple trips between India and Pakistan and that Gogoi had visited Pakistan at the invitation of its spy agency, the ISI—allegations that Gogoi has consistently denied.
ALSO READ: Assam opposition flags ‘neutrality’ concerns over electoral roll revision, moves CEO
Responding to Sarma’s accusations, Gogoi has dismissed them as baseless and politically motivated, calling the remarks “ridiculous, insane and nonsense,” and accusing the chief minister of behaving like an “IT cell troll” rather than presenting facts.
