The Assam cabinet has referred the matter of alleged Pakistani links involving Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi and his wife, Elizabeth Colburn Gogoi, to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for a high-level probe by central agencies, following the submission of a report by a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the decision after the SIT submitted its findings, saying the allegations raised issues of national security and sovereignty that required central intervention.
Addressing a press conference on Sunday, Himanta BiswaSarma alleged that “one person from Assam has Pakistan connection” and said it was his “duty to inform the country” about it.
“One person from Assam has Pakistan connection, it is my duty to tell the country about it. I was in Singapore when I discovered this photograph that our Assam MP went to Pakistani embassy with the youth…not a single neta (politician) from the Congress till date went with a delegation to Pakistan embassy like Gogoi. I am critical of the Congress, but nobody can match this level of Pakistani engagement,” Sarma said.
He added that public curiosity over the photograph prompted the government to order a probe.
“People, including from the Congress are very curious about this photo; that is when we opened the case. Following this, Ambassador Basit visited Assam. We also…found Gaurav’s wife Elizabeth’s Pakistani employment from 2011 to 2012,” he said.
‘Sensitive’ engagements, alleged secret visits
Sarma described the alleged nexus involving Gogoi, his wife and Pakistani interests as “very sensitive”, claiming the SIT examined unauthorised diplomatic engagements and possible breaches of national security.
He raised concerns about a trip Gogoi allegedly made to Pakistan during the tenure of his father, former Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi.
According to Sarma, the visit was “very sensitive” and was undertaken without informing the Assam Police, the Assam Special Branch or the Centre, thereby bypassing standard security protocols.
Allegations against Gaurav Gogoi’s wife
The SIT reportedly flagged several financial and professional issues linked to Elizabeth Colburn Gogoi. Sarma alleged that she worked in Pakistan between 2011 and 2012 under the direction of Pakistani national Ali Tauqeer Sheikh.
Listing the allegations, the chief minister claimed:
Travel to Pakistan: Elizabeth travelled with Ali Tauqeer Sheikh multiple times before employment and made several unauthorised visits to Pakistan while working at LEAD India and later Oxford Policy Management, always entering through the Attari border route.
Passing on intelligence: In 2013, she allegedly shared information from a secret Intelligence Bureau (IB) report with Pakistan in a 45-page document, quoting extensively from the IB, to help alter strategy after Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power.
Foreign funding: Alleged links to George Soros through US Senator Tom Udall.
FCRA violations: Concerns over receiving a salary significantly higher than her reporting manager at LEAD India, raising suspicions of Pakistani FCRA funds.
Financial non-disclosure: Failure to disclose details of a Pakistani bank account.
Pre-arranged employment: A contract with LEAD India allegedly finalised before she officially joined the organisation.
What the SIT report claims
According to the Assam government, the SIT report raises concerns over potential threats to national sovereignty. It alleges that Elizabeth reported directly to Pakistani interests with limited oversight from her employer.
The report further claims that in 2014 she shared a confidential document referencing secret IB communications and promoted a “low risk, low visibility” approach for Pakistani actors operating in India, suggesting engagement at the state level to bypass the Centre.
Case handed over to Centre
Sarma said the Assam cabinet discussed the SIT report on Saturday and unanimously decided to transfer the matter to the MHA.
“The Assam cabinet has discussed the SIT report related to the case involving Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi. Following detailed deliberations, the cabinet has decided to transfer the matter to the ministry of home affairs for further inquiry and investigation,” he said. “The report concerning the alleged anti-India conspiracy involving Ali Tauqeer Sheikh and others has been discussed thoroughly in the cabinet. Considering the depth and sensitivity of the matter, it has been decided to hand over the case to the MHA,” he added.
The home ministry may assign the probe to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Sarma said.
“Basically, the SIT report and all related case materials have been handed over to the Centre. The cabinet believes that further investigation should be carried out by a central agency,” he added.
Why the SIT was formed
Sarma said the SIT was constituted to examine an alleged “anti-India” conspiracy involving Ali Tauqeer Sheikh in connivance with Elizabeth Colburn Gogoi.
“The SIT has conducted its investigation and gathered sensitive information and material from various sources,” he said. Explaining the handover, he added:
“The SIT has clearly stated in its report that beyond a certain point it cannot continue the investigation, as the matter requires assistance from Interpol and access to sensitive information from the Government of India and even Parliament.”
Gaurav Gogoi dismisses allegations
Responding to the charges, Congress MP and Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi dismissed Sarma’s allegations as “most mindless and bogus”.
Calling the CM’s press conference “worse than C-grade cinema”, Gogoi said on X:
“I pity the journalists from Delhi and Assam who had to suffer the most flop press conference of the century. This was worse than a C grade cinema. Most mindless and bogus points offered by the so called political shrewd Chief Minister.”
Referring to the Congress’ outreach campaign, he added:
“This #SuperFlop is in contrast to our #XomoyParivartanYatra which has been a hit in uncovering the 12,000 bighas of land occupied by the Chief Minister and his family members.”
In another post, Gogoi said Sarma had “embarrassed himself” before the media.
“After 2.5 hours press conference even the journalists in the room remain unconvinced,” he said, adding that “nobody in Assam is taking his words seriously”.
He also demanded that the chief minister explain how his family acquired large tracts of land.
“He should rather explain how and his family managed to acquire 12,000 bighas or 4,000 acres of prime property across Assam. When we will come to power, we will take those lands and distribute amongst the poor and landless,” Gogoi said.
Sarma, however, maintained that Gogoi, his wife and Ali Tauqeer Sheikh shared a “deeper connection”, alleging that IB information was secretly shared with Pakistan and claiming Gogoi made a “very confidential” visit to Pakistan in 2013, where he is believed to have undergone “some kind of training”.
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