Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to register a case against Ali Tauqeer Sheikh under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and other relevant laws, launching a detailed investigation into a suspected larger conspiracy.
The move follows CM Sarma’s allegations that Elizabeth Gogoi, wife of Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, has ties to Ali Sheikh, a Pakistani national with significant connections in Islamabad’s government and diplomatic circles. According to Sarma, multiple reports, social media activity, and other publicly available information suggest that Sheikh has been actively commenting on India’s internal affairs and parliamentary matters, raising concerns about potential foreign interference.
Investigations indicate that Ali Sheikh is a high-profile figure with close ties to the Pakistani government and has represented the country on international platforms. Given Pakistan’s historical attempts to destabilize Assam, the Assam government is taking the matter seriously and treating it as a potential national security threat.
Further scrutiny has revealed Sheikh’s previous interactions with Elizabeth Gogoi, a British national who was associated with Lead Pakistan, a climate-focused non-profit organization during her time in Islamabad. The Assam government has also expressed concerns over her association with The Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), which operates in both India and Pakistan. CM Sarma has questioned the involvement of a Pakistani-based leader in India’s internal affairs, calling for greater transparency regarding the objectives of the organizations in question.
Following a high-level meeting, the Assam Cabinet issued key directives:
• The DGP has been instructed to register a case against Ali Sheikh under the BNS and other relevant legal provisions.
• A comprehensive probe will be conducted to identify potential sympathizers or associates within Assam and across India who may have supported Sheikh’s alleged activities.
• National security agencies will assist in assessing the extent of foreign influence on India’s internal matters, with the possibility of escalating the case to a central investigative agency.
CM Sarma emphasized that the government’s actions stem purely from national security concerns. The Assam government also plans to formally notify AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge and Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President Bhupen Bora about the matter.
The allegations have sparked a political firestorm, with opposition parties dismissing the claims as a diversionary tactic ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.