Gaurav Gogoi has 'deeper' links with Pakistan: Assam CM refers Congress MP's case to Centre
PTC News Desk: The Assam Cabinet has decided to send the case related to Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi’s alleged links with Pakistan to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said after a Cabinet meeting on Saturday.
Sarma said a Special Investigation Team (SIT), formed by the state government to look into what he called an “anti-India conspiracy,” has submitted its report. The Cabinet believes the matter is linked to national security. The decision has increased political tension ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in Assam.
The Chief Minister alleged that Gogoi has links with Pakistan. He claimed that Gogoi’s wife had earlier worked with an NGO that is said to be connected to Pakistani interests. Sarma also said that Gogoi had visited Pakistan in the past, which he believes raises security concerns. He added that the SIT report and the FIR registered in the case will now be sent to the central government. Sarma said the state has not questioned Gogoi directly out of respect for his position as an MP and to avoid accusations of political targeting before elections.
According to Sarma, the Cabinet believes the case involves three main people — Gogoi, his British wife Elizabeth Colebourn, and Pakistani national Ali Tauqeer Sheikh. The SIT was formed to investigate claims that Sheikh interfered in India’s internal matters and had links with Gogoi’s wife. The SIT submitted its report to Sarma, who also handles the Home Department, before the deadline set for presenting evidence.
- With inputs from agencies
