Guwahati – A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on Tuesday framed charges against Assam MLA Akhil Gogoi and three associates for their alleged involvement in the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests. The charges fall under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Special NIA Judge SK Sharma charged Gogoi under Section 18 (conspiracy) of the UAPA, alongside IPC sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups), and 153B (assertions prejudicial to national integration), according to his counsel Santanu Borthakur. Meanwhile, charges under Section 18 of the UAPA and IPC 120B were also framed against his associates Dhaijya Konwar, Bittu Sonowal, and Manash Konwar.
The framing of these charges is a crucial development in a case that has sparked significant debate over the application of stringent laws like UAPA against protesters. The court’s decision marks the start of the trial process, during which evidence will be presented, and witnesses will be called to testify.
The anti-CAA protests, which swept across the nation, saw some of the fiercest demonstrations in Assam, with widespread opposition to the law. Critics argue that the CAA, which aims to provide citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from neighboring countries, is discriminatory and undermines India’s secular Constitution.
This is a developing story, and more updates are expected as the trial proceeds.
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