Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has intensified attack on Deputy LoP Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, after a special investigation team (SIT), constituted to probe Congress MP's alleged links to ISI, published a report.

Speaking at a press conference, CM Sarma said that the allegations are serious in nature and hence must be probed by a central agency.

What is the case?

Gogoi's British wife, Elizabeth Colbrum, is at the centre of the controversy as it is alleged that she developed close ties with Pakistan, especially the country's intelligence agency ISI, while she worked in Islamabad under Tauqeer Sheikh. Sheikh is a former advisor to the Planning Commission of Pakistan.

What are the charges against Gogoi?

CM Himanta said, "I can at least confirm that an honourable MP from Assam visited Pakistan when his father was the Chief Minister." Gaurav's father, Tarun Gogoi, served as CM of Assam from 2001 to 2016.

Reiterating his charges against Gogoi, Sarma alleged that he took a delegation to the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi and met the High Commissioner, Abdul Basit.

He further alleged that Gogoi did not inform the Centre about his visit and blacked out from social media during that period.

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What SIT found?

According to CM Sarma, the SIT report suggests Elizabeth shared confidential information with Pakistan.

  • Elizabeth had professional links with LEAD Pakistan and the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN).
  • Sheikh deleted his posts tagging Elizabeth after they launched their probe.
  • SIT also found that Sheikh visited India several times during the UPA’s tenure, a pattern which stopped after the BJP-led NDA government came to power in 2014.
  • Elizabeth visited Pakistan 9 times after her marriage
  • Elizabeth used to take the Attari Border to visit Pakistan in order to keep low profile.
  • She was on the payroll of Pakistan as she got a salary from Lead Pakistan, a Pakistani firm.

Will the Central agency take up the case?

CM Sarma claimed that the SIT had gathered "sensitive information and materials" in the case. However, the Assam Police lacks the authority to access telephonic and certain classified records.

As central agencies have the authority to do so, CM Sarma said he would ask the Union Home Ministry to take over the investigation.

ALSO READ: Assam Cabinet To Decide Over SIT Report On Gogoi’s Pakistan Link, Details To Be Made Public On Feb 8

"We believe there is a deeper connection between Elizabeth and Gaurav Gogoi and Pakistan that needs to be investigated," Sarma emphasised the need for a Central probe.

What did Gogoi say?

Gaurav Gogoi called the allegations "ridiculous, baseless, insane and nonsensical." He also jabbed at Sarma for acting like an "IT cell troll" without presenting facts.