Guwahati, Jan 27 (PTI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said the cabinet will take a formal decision on the future course of action on the SIT report on state Congress president Gaurav Gogoi’s alleged links with Pakistan on February 7.
Addressing a press conference after a cabinet meeting here, Sarma alleged that Gogoi and his British wife have “direct links” with Pakistan as per a presentation made by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Assam Police formed to probe the controversial matter.
“In today’s cabinet meeting, we had an informal discussion on the SIT report. A presentation was made, following which all ministers were shocked to know the truth. Some even commented how (former chief minister) Tarun Gogoi’s son could be like this,” he said.
Sarma said the cabinet decided to bring in a formal memorandum on the topic to decide the future course of action on the case in its next sitting on February 7.
“Whether the report will be forwarded to the Union Home Minister for an investigation by the NIA, RAW or IB, or Assam Police will continue probing the matter — this will be decided on February 7. On February 8, we will close the chapter,” he added.
Sarma stressed that the SIT report is going to be a “very sensitive and shocking” document for the public.
“The cabinet also authorised the CM to address a press conference to make the public aware of the findings of the SIT to the extent possible. Some secret and sensitive information may not be shared, but most of the facts will be presented before the public,” he added.
Accordingly, a press conference will be organised at 10:30 am on February 8 to reveal most of the SIT findings, the CM said.
“If anyone from the national media wants to come from outside the state to cover the press meet, we will be happy to facilitate them,” he added.
Sarma had last year announced to make public all evidence related to Gogoi’s alleged link by September 10, 2025. Earlier this month, he had said that the hullabaloo over popular singer Zubeen Garg’s death on September 19 caused a delay.
The Assam CM and the BJP have been attacking Lok Sabha MP Gogoi over his wife’s alleged connection with Pakistan’s spy agency ISI.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) probed a case of alleged interference of Pakistani national Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, who was claimed to have links with Gogoi’s British wife Elizabeth Colburn, in India’s internal affairs.
“Sheikh is a Pakistani national, so there is no doubt about him. The SIT found that Gogoi and his wife have direct links with Pakistan, and they presented the proofs in front of the cabinet,” the CM claimed.
He said that Colburn was examined by the SIT sleuths during the course of the investigation, besides quizzing 22-25 more people.
Referring to the citizenship of Gogoi’s wife and children, Sarma said, “In the family, there is one Indian and three foreigners. If he (Gogoi) had any shame, he should have immediately given Indian citizenship to his children after the controversy erupted.” Sarma claimed that the Assam Congress chief considers Indian citizenship as “second-class” and gives more importance to British citizenship.
Earlier, the BJP leader had claimed that the opposition leader is a “100 per cent Pakistani agent”.
Sarma had alleged that Colburn had travelled 19 times between India and Pakistan and Gogoi had visited the neighbouring country on an invitation from its spy agency ISI and undergone training there.
He also claimed that Colburn was collecting various classified government documents, mainly IB reports, on behalf of the Pakistani climate lobby.
Hitting back, Gogoi had slammed Sarma over his accusation and questioned his mental state due to issues at the home front. He even said the CM’s remarks were “ridiculous, baseless, insane and nonsense” and that he was behaving like an “IT cell troll” without talking with facts. PTI TR TR NN
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