Assam cabinet to decide Feb 7 on SIT report alleging Gogoi’s Pakistan links, CM Himanta says findings 'shocking'

Himanta Biswa Sarma

• Assam cabinet to decide SIT report action on Gogoi-Pakistan links on February 7
• CM Sarma claims SIT found direct links between Gogoi, wife, and Pakistan
• Press conference scheduled for February 8 to disclose SIT findings

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Assam Chief Minister (CM) Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday announced that the state cabinet will take a formal call on February 7 regarding the future course of action on a Special Investigation Team (SIT) report probing alleged links between Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi and Pakistan.

Speaking at a press conference after a cabinet meeting, Sarma said ministers were briefed through a presentation by the SIT constituted by the Assam Police to examine claims of foreign interference and connections involving Gogoi and his British wife, Elizabeth Colburn.

“In today's cabinet meeting, we had an informal discussion on the SIT report. A presentation was made, following which all ministers were shocked to know the truth. Some even commented how (former chief minister) Tarun Gogoi's son could be like this,” Sarma said.

He explained that while Tuesday’s discussion was informal, the cabinet has decided to place a memorandum on the agenda of its next sitting to determine the next steps.

“Whether the report will be forwarded to the Union Home Minister for an investigation by the NIA, RAW, or IB, or Assam Police will continue probing the matter -- this will be decided on February 7. On February 8, we will close the chapter,” the chief minister stated.

According to Sarma, the SIT report contains material that is “very sensitive and shocking” for the general public. He said the cabinet has authorised him to brief the media on the findings to the extent possible.

“The cabinet also authorised the CM to address a press conference to make the public aware of the findings of the SIT to the extent possible. Some secret and sensitive information may not be shared, but most of the facts will be presented before the public,” he said.

A press conference has been scheduled for 10:30 am on February 8 to disclose the findings. Sarma added, “If anyone from the national media wants to come from outside the state to cover the press meet, we will be happy to facilitate them.”

The Assam CM claimed that the SIT has concluded Gogoi and his wife have “direct links” with Pakistan and that proof was shown to ministers during the presentation.

“Sheikh is a Pakistani national, so there is no doubt about him. The SIT found that Gogoi and his wife have direct links with Pakistan, and they presented the proofs in front of the cabinet,” Sarma alleged, referring to Pakistani national Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, who is accused of interfering in India’s internal affairs and having links with Colburn.

Sarma said Colburn was questioned by the SIT and that 22-25 other individuals were also examined during the investigation.

The chief minister also raised questions about the citizenship status of Gogoi’s immediate family. “In the family, there is one Indian and three foreigners. If he (Gogoi) had any shame, he should have immediately given Indian citizenship to his children after the controversy erupted,” Sarma said, further claiming that Gogoi considers Indian citizenship as “second-class” and gives preference to British citizenship.

Sarma and the BJP have repeatedly targeted the Lok Sabha MP over his wife’s alleged connections with Pakistan’s spy agency, the ISI. The CM has previously alleged that Colburn travelled 19 times between India and Pakistan and that Gogoi visited Pakistan on an invitation from the ISI and underwent training there.

He has also claimed that Colburn collected classified government documents, mainly IB reports, on behalf of what he described as a Pakistani climate lobby.

Last year, Sarma had said he would make public all evidence related to the alleged links by September 10, 2025, but earlier this month cited the uproar over singer Zubeen Garg’s death on September 19 as a reason for delay.

Gogoi has strongly rejected the allegations, calling Sarma’s charges “ridiculous, baseless, insane, and nonsense” and accusing the CM of behaving like an “IT cell troll” instead of presenting facts. He also questioned Sarma’s mental state, claiming the chief minister was under stress due to personal issues.