CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Forms SIT to Probe Alleged Pakistani Links of Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi and Wife

Guwahati, February 19, 2025: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday announced the formation of a four-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the alleged Pakistani links of Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi and his wife, Elizabeth Gogoi. The development has sparked a fresh political controversy in the state.

Taking to social media platform X, CM Sarma stated, “Pursuant to the registration of the case, the DGP, Assam Police, has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the matter. Assam Police will conduct a professional and completely objective investigation.”

He further mentioned that the SIT would include inspectors, sub-inspectors, and necessary personnel, with approval from the Assam Police Headquarters. The team would report its findings periodically to the Assam Director General of Police.

Political Battle Intensifies

The controversy erupted after CM Sarma raised questions regarding Gaurav Gogoi’s alleged meeting with the Pakistan High Commissioner and his subsequent inquiries related to national security and defense in Parliament. This led to accusations of foreign connections, prompting the Assam government to take swift action.

Responding to the allegations, Gogoi, the Member of Parliament from Jorhat, refuted the claims, asserting that his visit to Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit was purely customary and had nothing to hide.

“A lot of BJP MPs have asked similar questions that I raised in Parliament. However, I am always open to any investigation, and it is the Assam government’s duty to conduct the investigation,” said Gogoi, addressing the media in Guwahati.

Gogoi also hit back at CM Sarma, questioning his own foreign visits. “The Chief Minister must also answer about his visits to Bangladesh, Dubai, and Singapore,” he added.

Political Undercurrents Ahead of Elections

According to Gogoi, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is facing a decline in popularity in Assam, and CM Sarma is aware of the growing discontent. He claimed that BJP’s chances in the upcoming Assembly elections were bleak and that these allegations were politically motivated.

“The CM has been constantly posting against me on social media platforms like Facebook and X because he knows that the people of Assam are fed up with his style of politics. The BJP will be voted out of power in the next Assembly polls,” said the Congress MP.

FIR Lodged Against Pakistani National

Meanwhile, Assam Police have registered an FIR against Pakistani national Ali Sheikh, who reportedly had a close professional association with Elizabeth Gogoi. This has further fueled the controversy, as authorities have intensified their scrutiny over potential foreign links.

The decision to launch the SIT probe was taken during a Cabinet meeting chaired by CM Sarma on Monday. The Chief Minister has reiterated that the investigation will be carried out in a transparent and fair manner.

As the political drama unfolds, the SIT is expected to conduct thorough investigations into the allegations, and its findings may have significant implications for the political landscape in Assam in the coming months. The Congress party, on the other hand, has dismissed the probe as a mere political stunt ahead of the elections.

With the elections approaching, this controversy is likely to dominate Assam’s political discourse, further intensifying the battle between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress.