Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma claims SIT probe has found financial, travel and organisational links between Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, his British wife Elizabeth Colburn Gogoi, and Islamabad-based entities; calls for central agency investigation
Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday made a series of serious allegations against Congress Member of Parliament Gaurav Gogoi, claiming that both the MP and his British wife, Elizabeth Colburn Gogoi, have alleged links with Pakistan-based organisations, which he said could pose a threat to India’s internal security.
Addressing a press conference in Guwahati, Dr Sarma said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe had unearthed what he described as “explosive evidence” pointing to connections between the Gogoi family and elements within the Pakistani establishment, including Islamabad-based non-governmental organisations. He stated that the matter now warrants further investigation by a central agency.
Allegations of Pakistan-Based Employment
The Chief Minister’s allegations focused primarily on Elizabeth Colburn Gogoi, whom he claimed was employed by an Islamabad-based organisation named LEAD Pakistan between 2011 and March 2012.
According to Dr Sarma, Elizabeth allegedly continued to receive payments from the organisation even after relocating to India. He claimed that between September 2012 and November 2014—during which period Gaurav Gogoi was serving as an Indian MP—she received a total of ₹82.41 lakh from LEAD Pakistan.
Dr Sarma further alleged a disparity in salaries, stating that while the head of LEAD India drew a monthly salary of ₹50,000, Elizabeth Colburn Gogoi was allegedly paid ₹2.5 lakh per month by the Islamabad office.
Claims of Information Sharing and Travel
The CM also alleged that while residing in India, Elizabeth Colburn Gogoi prepared a 45-page confidential report that was sent to Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, head of LEAD Pakistan and a resident of Islamabad. Dr Sarma claimed the document contained sensitive information and alleged that Sheikh had visited India multiple times as part of various delegations.
Raising questions over foreign travel, Dr Sarma claimed that Gaurav Gogoi had undertaken a 10-day visit to Pakistan in December 2013, entering through the Attari border. He alleged that the visit was not publicly disclosed and that Gogoi remained inactive on social media during that period.
The Chief Minister further claimed that Gogoi travelled to Islamabad and Karachi on an invitation from Pakistan’s Interior Ministry, alleging the involvement of the country’s intelligence establishment. He also alleged that Elizabeth Colburn Gogoi visited Pakistan nine times, including six visits while she was residing in India.
Political and Public Reactions
Invoking national sentiment, Dr Sarma questioned why, as he claimed, “special treatment” was extended to an Indian MP by Pakistan, referencing the sacrifice of Captain Jintu Gogoi of Assam, who was killed during the Kargil War.
The CM also raised personal issues, stating that Elizabeth Colburn remains a British citizen. He further alleged changes in citizenship and religious documentation within the family, claiming that “three out of four family members are foreign nationals.”
Following the press conference, protests were reported from various parts of Assam, with demonstrators raising slogans against the Congress MP and demanding a thorough probe into the allegations.
Concluding his address, Dr Sarma said it was “painful” to raise such issues against an elected representative but maintained that alleged financial transactions, undisclosed travel, and national security concerns “cannot be ignored” and must be investigated thoroughly.
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