GUWAHATI: The Crime Investigation Department (CID) in Assam has issued summons to several Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Gaurav Gogoi, directing them to appear in connection with an incident during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra (BJNY) in the state.
The summons notice, issued under Section 41A of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), mandates the appearance of Gandhi, Gogoi, KC Venugopal, Jitendra Singh, Bhupen Borah, Debabrata Saikia, Zakir Hussain Sikdar, and Ramen Kumar Sharma at the CID office in Ulubali, Guwahati, at 11:30 am on February 23.
The summons comes in relation to an incident on January 23, during the BJNY, where Congress workers allegedly broke police barricades in the presence of Gandhi and other party leaders.
ALSO READ FIR against Congress’ Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra for route violation, chaos in Jorhat
The incident occurred after Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had threatened to file an FIR if the Yatra attempted to enter the main Guwahati city.
The clash between Congress workers and police personnel reportedly resulted in injuries to several individuals on both sides.
Following the altercation, Chief Minister Sarma described the incident as reminiscent of “Naxalite” tactics and ordered the state police to register a case.
He also announced that individuals deemed responsible, including andhi, would face arrest post the Lok Sabha elections, to avoid politicisation of the issue before the polls.
ALSO READ After filing criminal case against Rahul Gandhi, Assam CM intends to arrest him post LS polls
Additionally, Chief Minister Sarma, who holds the home department portfolio, announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter.
Subsequently, the case was transferred to the CID for further investigation.
The summons issued by the CID seek to ascertain facts and circumstances surrounding the alleged offenses under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984.
The involvement of high-profile political figures like Gandhi in this legal matter adds significant political dimension to the ongoing developments, especially ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
