Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has declared that the findings of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing allegations of Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi's connections with Pakistan will be publicly disclosed on February 8. This announcement follows a Cabinet meeting where the report was informally discussed, setting the stage for a potentially explosive political revelation.
Cabinet Reviews SIT Findings Ahead of Public Release
During a Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday night, Chief Minister Sarma revealed that the Cabinet had informally examined the SIT's conclusions. The Home Department has been directed to formally present these findings on February 7, paving the way for the Chief Minister to hold a press conference at 10:30 AM on February 8 to make the report public to the extent possible.
Background of the Investigation
The SIT was established in February last year after Sarma leveled serious accusations against Gaurav Gogoi, alleging ties with Pakistan. This investigation stemmed from an FIR registered against Pakistani climate policy expert Ali Tauqeer Sheikh and "unknown others" on multiple charges, including abetment from outside India, acts endangering India's sovereignty, unity, and integrity, criminal conspiracy, and imputations prejudicial to national integration, under the UAPA Act.
Sarma had previously asserted that Gogoi and his wife, Elizabeth, who is Sheikh's former colleague, were "accomplices" in this matter. He had promised "shocking" revelations in September last year, building anticipation around this case.
Key Allegations and Next Steps
In his statement, Sarma claimed that three individuals have been proven to have links to Pakistan: Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, the MP's wife, and the MP himself. The Cabinet has granted permission for the Chief Minister to release the findings, and a decision will be made in the February 7 meeting regarding whether further inquiry should be conducted by the Assam government, central agencies, or if the matter should be referred to the Prime Minister for a final decision.
This development adds a new layer to the ongoing political tensions in Assam, with potential implications for national security and inter-party dynamics. The public release of the SIT report is expected to draw significant attention from political observers and the media alike.
