Assam Cabinet Refers Gaurav Gogoi's Pakistan Links Probe to MHA: Sarma

Sarma's Explosive Claims on Gogoi

As Sarma said in a press briefing, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) the state government set up in response to his calls for an “anti-India conspiracy” submitted its report. The Cabinet concluded that the issue had national security implications.
“The Assam government had constituted an SIT to inquire into the alleged anti-India conspiracy of Ali Tauqeer Sheikh in connivance with a British citizen and an MP. Keeping in mind the seriousness of the matter, it was decided to hand it over to the MHA,” Sarma said.

“If an MP from Assam, Gaurav Gogoi, has any connection with Pakistan, then it is highly unfortunate. I am here to raise this before you. I was informed that Gaurav Gogoi had taken a delegation to the office of the Pakistan High Commission. He met the then Pakistan High Commissioner, Abdul Basit. I do not recall any leader taking a delegation along to meet the Pakistan High Commissioner,” he added.

Elizabeth Colebourn's Pakistan Tenure and Ties

The State government set up the SIT to look into the alleged involvement of Sheikh in India’s internal matters, which he said, by his close associate Gogoi’s British wife, Elizabeth Colebourn. Sarma received SIT’s report on September 10, when Sarma was assigned his handover before the September 10 deadline.
Sarma said some of the non-confidential information would be made public at a press conference on Sunday, with the Cabinet granting him permission for that.

SIT Findings: Deleted Posts and Pakistani Links

The Chief minister said Gogoi’s wife served in Pakistan from March 2011 to March 2012 and had had professional relations with a Pakistani national, Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, who he said held advisory posts at Pakistan’s planning and disaster management bodies.
The SIT had noted that Colebourn has professional contacts with Pakistan-based civil society organizations like LEAD Pakistan, among other organisations. He also said that Sheikh deleted social media posts tagging her after Assam Police commenced its investigation. 

Political Firestorm Ahead of Assam

The move marks a key moment in Sarma’s assault on Gogoi, a major political flashpoint and an election nail in the coffin months ahead of the Assembly elections in the state.
Sarma has alleged that some links are also there between the Congress and Pakistan, saying Gogoi’s wife had previously been working with an NGO allegedly with ties to Pakistani interests as well as, the MP had visited Pakistan prior which he believes does raise questions of national security.