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NDTV
31-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Himanta Sarma On Why NIA Should Probe Case Linked To Congress Leader's Wife
Guwahati: A day after Himanta Biswa Sarma hinted at transferring an ongoing state inquiry - into 'links' between Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi's wife and a Pakistan-based non-governmental organisation - to the anti-terror body National Investigation Agency, the Assam chief minister explained on Thursday why he feels a need for this. Stating that the Assam Police special investigation team (SIT) has been informed that its term will not be extended and it has to wrap up its probe into the case by September 10, Mr Sarma said, "The Assam SIT has a limited scope. We cannot access telephonic interactions beyond two years. But the National Investigation Agency (NIA) can trace conversations till 2010. The Assam SIT has done a good job, but ultimately, the case is related to citizenship. It is the Centre which has to finally take over the investigation." The chief minister had, earlier this year, ordered the registration of a case against a Pakistani national, who is believed to have links with Mr Gogoi's wife Elizabeth Colburn, for "trying to interfere in domestic matters" of the state and the country. Mr Sarma had also said that Ms Colburn will be probed over her alleged links with Pakistan and its intelligence agency ISI. Besides, he has said, she will also be investigated over her alleged participation in the Lok Sabha election campaigns despite being a "British citizen". The Assam SIT had taken over the case and questioned several people. "We will refer the case to the Centre, but not now. We have given a deadline of September 10 to the SIT to wrap up its probe. It will submit a report and I will table that report before the cabinet, which can recommend the case's transfer to NIA," he added. Mr Gogoi has denied the allegations.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Visiting Pakistan is a crime, yet Gaurav Gogoi's wife went 19 times': Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma targets Congress MP
MORIGAON: Assam's chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched a sharp criticism against Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Sunday, demanding clarification about his alleged visit to Pakistan . Sarma emphasised that Gogoi holds no divine status and suggested that he could face potential consequences for his actions. "If we can arrest 40 persons who talked in support of Pakistan, then we can take action against Gaurav Gogoi for his Pakistan visit. Gaurav Gogoi is not God. Gaurav Gogoi should have answered whether he had visited Pakistan or not. Whether he changed his children's citizenship by consulting with his children or made the decision himself. Why did his wife travel to Pakistan 19 times? If he doesn't give the answer, then Himanta Biswa Sarma knows very well how to get the answer," chief minister said. "Gaurav Gogoi is not God for me. He is a criminal. In my view, going to Pakistan is a crime. There are no Kaziranga, Manas, or Orang (national parks) in Pakistan. Whose house in Pakistan did he go to? He will have to inform us. How do you find out the answer? The Assam government, Assam SIT, and Himanta Biswa Sarma know it well," he added. Assam Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi took aim at chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday, expressing concern over the latter's tendency to engage in personal attacks whilst neglecting crucial children's issues plaguing the state, including escalating school dropout numbers, child labour exploitation, and declining standards in government education. In his response to the chief minister's contentious declaration about resigning if Gogoi could demonstrate his child's Indian citizenship, the Congress MP brushed aside these remarks as a deliberate distraction. Instead, he emphasised the genuine challenges threatening Assam's upcoming generation, particularly those affecting children's welfare and development. "The Chief Minister is concerned with my children. That is his choice, his prerogative. I am concerned with the welfare of the children of Assam. Today, dropout rates are increasing. Children are being sold into slavery. The condition of government schools is deteriorating every day. Children are so impoverished that they are being forced into labour. I take responsibility for addressing these issues as a member of the Congress party," Gogoi said. Chief minister Sarma also said that his government is probing Gogoi's alleged visit to Pakistan. Sarma said, "I have evidence that Gaurav Gogoi's son and daughter are not Indian citizens. We are examining what he did there (Pakistan) for 15 days. There is no tourism place in Pakistan; it is only a terrorist adda. It is 100 per cent confirmed that he went there, but what did he do there in 15 days? Robert Vadra and Gaurav Gogoi are more concerned about Pakistan than India." Chief minister Sarma raised questions earlier this week about the employment status of Gogoi's spouse, specifically asking if she earns income from a non-governmental organisation based in Pakistan whilst residing in India. Additionally, he requested clarification regarding the nationality credentials of Gogoi's wife and their two children. "Questions for the Hon'ble Member of Parliament from the Congress Party: 1. Did you visit Pakistan for a continuous period of 15 days? If so, could you kindly clarify the purpose of your visit? 2. Does your wife indeed receive a salary from a Pakistan-based NGO while residing and working in India? If so, may we ask why a Pakistan-based organisation is paying a salary for activities conducted in India? 3. What is the citizenship status of your wife and your two children? Are they Indian citizens, or do they hold citizenship of another country? Many more questions will follow," he posted on X.
Hindustan Times
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘Going to Pakistan is a crime': Himanta Biswa Sarma attacks Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday warned Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi of action for the latter's alleged visit to Pakistan. He said going to Pakistan is a crime. The BJP leader has been alleging that the Jorhat MP had visited the neighbouring country, and his wife "continues to receive a salary from a Pakistan-based NGO while residing and working in India. 'If we can arrest 40 persons who talked in support of Pakistan, then we can take action against Gaurav Gogoi for his Pakistan visit. Gaurav Gogoi is not God. Gaurav Gogoi should have answered whether he had visited Pakistan or not. Whether he changed his children's citizenship by consulting with his children or made the decision himself. Why did his wife travel to Pakistan 19 times? If he doesn't answer, then Himanta Biswa Sarma knows very well how to get the answer,' Sarma said. 'Gaurav Gogoi is not God to me. He is a criminal. In my view, going to Pakistan is a crime. There are no Kaziranga, Manas, or Orang (national parks) in Pakistan. Whose house in Pakistan did he go to? He will have to inform us. How do you find out the answer? The Assam government, Assam SIT, and Himanta Biswa Sarma know it well,' he added. Also read | Assam CM vs Gogoi: Himanta questions Congress MP's family ties to Pak, gets counter The Congress leader on Saturday slammed the chief minister for pursuing personal attacks rather than addressing the issues of children in Assam. Gogoi asked if Sarma would resign if he proved that his child holds Indian citizenship. 'The Chief Minister is concerned about my children. That is his choice, his prerogative. I am concerned with the welfare of the children of Assam. Today, dropout rates are increasing. Children are being sold into slavery. The condition of government schools is deteriorating every day. Children are so impoverished that they are being forced into labour. I take responsibility for addressing these issues as a member of the Congress party,' Gogoi said. The fresh salvo came weeks after the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were gunned down by terrorists. (With agency inputs)
