'Not an easy task’: Himanta hails Assam Police SIT in Gaurav Gogoi probe

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on February 8, said that the Assam Police, through its Special Investigation Team (SIT), carried out a “finer level of inquiry” into the matter involving Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi, asserting that the state police had done a commendable job before the case was referred to the Centre.

Responding to a question by India Today NE, the Chief Minister said the SIT had accessed sensitive documents, including Gaurav Gogoi’s passport, which he described as no easy task.

“Can you imagine any other state police getting hold of such documents? Can you imagine anybody accessing Gaurav Gogoi’s passport without interrogation?” Sarma said, adding that the SIT’s work deserved appreciation.

The Chief Minister stated that the Assam Police had already gathered substantial material during the investigation. However, after examining the SIT report in a Cabinet meeting, the government decided that the matter required a higher-level inquiry and should be referred to the central government, citing national security concerns.

Sarma said the SIT had also recommended specific legal provisions under which action could be initiated, including the filing of a charge sheet against Gaurav Gogoi, Elizabeth Colburn Gogoi, and Ali Tauqeer Sheikh. Copies of the report, he added, would be made available.

Explaining the need for central and international agencies, the Chief Minister said that while Assam Police systems can track travel originating from India, they are limited when it comes to tracking foreign travel from countries such as the UK.

He claimed that Elizabeth Colburn Gogoi had visited Pakistan nine times from India and said tracking any visits from London would require assistance from agencies like Interpol, as such data falls beyond the technical scope of state systems.

“Interpol or other international agencies’ help is required. That is why the Cabinet, in its wisdom, decided to refer the matter to the Centre,” Sarma said, adding that the Assam Police already had material to proceed further if required.