Daijiworld Media Network- Guwahati
Guwahati, Aug 1: Assam Chief Minister HimantaBiswaSarma on Thursday elaborated on why he believes a probe involving Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi’s wife should be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), hinting at serious national security implications.
This comes a day after he suggested that an ongoing inquiry—being handled by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Assam Police—might be shifted to the NIA due to limitations faced by the state-level probe team.
Addressing the media, CM Sarma said, “The Assam SIT has been informed that its tenure will not be extended. They have to complete the investigation by September 10. The SIT has done commendable work so far, but their powers are limited. They can’t retrieve telephonic conversations beyond two years. The NIA, however, can access records going back to 2010. Since this case also concerns citizenship and potential foreign interference, the Centre must take over the probe.”
Earlier this year, Sarma had ordered a case to be registered against a Pakistani national, believed to be linked to Elizabeth Colburn, the wife of Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi. The FIR alleged attempts to interfere in India’s internal affairs, raising alarm bells over national security.
Furthermore, the Chief Minister claimed that Ms Colburn would be investigated not only for her alleged links to Pakistan and its intelligence agency ISI but also for her alleged involvement in Lok Sabha election campaigns, despite being a British citizen.
The SIT had taken charge of the case, summoning several individuals for questioning. CM Sarma clarified that after the SIT submits its report by the September deadline, he will present the findings to the Assam Cabinet. “Only after that will the decision to recommend the case for NIA investigation be made,” he stated.
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, meanwhile, has strongly denied all allegations, calling them politically motivated.
As the political heat rises, all eyes are now on the SIT report and the Assam Cabinet’s next move in a case that has already sparked national debate.