Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday claimed that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing links between a Pakistan national and Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi’s wife has uncovered “startling facts” pointing to a wider conspiracy aimed at undermining India’s sovereignty.
The SIT submitted its report to the Chief Minister this evening after investigating the case involving Pakistan national Ali Tauqeer Sheikh. Sheikh, who works with the climate action organization CDKN, is accused of having alleged links with Elizabeth Coulborn, the British wife of Gaurav Gogoi, Assam Congress president.
Taking to social media, CM Sarma wrote, “During the course of this exhaustive investigation, the SIT has unearthed startling facts which point towards a larger conspiracy aimed at undermining the sovereignty of our nation.” He further claimed that the probe “established the involvement of a British national who is also married to an Indian Member of Parliament in the larger nefarious activities of Pakistan national Ali Tauqeer Sheikh.”
The SIT’s probe follows concerns raised earlier by the Assam Chief Minister regarding Mr. Gogoi’s visits to Pakistan a decade ago. The investigation reportedly included questioning Coulborn and at least nine others associated with the case.
Earlier, CM Sarma had alleged that Sheikh had visited India 18 times and that preliminary findings could reveal more “startling” details.
Reacting sharply, Gaurav Gogoi dismissed the allegations as politically motivated. “The Chief Minister has been issuing fabricated statements to divert attention from the large-scale corruption in his government,” Gogoi said. He accused the BJP-led administration of attempting to tarnish his reputation and warned that public resentment against the ruling party would lead to its defeat in the upcoming Assembly elections.
“People are determined to remove the BJP government and vote for a leadership that stands for the poor and unemployed. Many BJP leaders and civil society members disillusioned by corruption have already joined the Congress,” Gogoi added.
Given the cross-border implications of the case, sources indicated that the Assam government might hand it over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for further investigation. This move would be in line with handling cases involving hostile foreign interference, particularly from Pakistan’s intelligence apparatus.
The case has stirred political controversy in Assam, with the opposition accusing the government of exploiting national security concerns for political gain, while the ruling party maintains that it is acting in the interest of national security.
