Delhi, February 17 (Punjab Khabarnama Bureau): The Assam Cabinet on Sunday directed the state police to register a case against a Pakistani national who allegedly had links with Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi’s wife, Elizabeth, a British national, and see whether that association had any implications on the nation’s security and sovereignty.
The move comes days after Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma targeted Gogoi, the son of former chief minister Tarun Gogoi, on social media platforms insinuating that the Congress leader’s wife and her work with the Pakistan national’s organisation had led him (Gaurav Gogoi) to raise questions about India’s nuclear program and defence issues in parliament.
“The Assam Cabinet notes its concern regarding the explicit involvement of a Pakistan-based leader and actor of a climate action group in the matter concerning India’s internal affairs thereby raising serious questions on its actual intentions and operations,” Sarma said following the Cabinet meeting.
The CM was referring to Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, founder of Lead Pakistan, a non-profit organisation working in the field of climate change. He said that Elizabeth Gogoi was an integral part of Lead Pakistan during her time spent in Islamabad.
Sarma said that both Sheikh and Elizabeth Gogoi have been a part of a global climate action group called the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), which operates both in India and Pakistan.
“Given the broader national security implication of this issue particularly in Assam, the state Cabinet has directed the DGP (director general of police), Assam, to register a case against Sheikh under appropriate provisions of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and other relevant laws,” he added.
Summary: Assam Cabinet directs police to investigate Pakistani national Ali Tauqeer Sheikh’s links amid allegations involving Gaurav Gogoi’s wife. Gogoi dismisses claims as political attacks.