Assam Assembly Secretariat seeks criminal case details on Akhil Gogoi by July 13
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The Assam Legislative Assembly Secretariat has written to the Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department, seeking comprehensive details of all pending criminal cases against Independent MLA and Raijor Dal chief Akhil Gogoi, officials said on Friday, 10 July. The move follows a controversy over whether Gogoi accurately disclosed his criminal cases in his election affidavit.
What the Secretariat Has Asked For
According to officials, the Assembly Secretariat has directed the Home Department to furnish complete information on all criminal cases pending against Gogoi by 13 July. Once received, the information will be placed before Assam Legislative Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary for further consideration. The move is being viewed as an attempt to obtain authenticated government records before any procedural steps are taken on the matter.
The Assembly Floor Clash That Triggered the Move
The Secretariat's action comes a day after a heated exchange on the floor of the Assembly between Gogoi and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pijush Hazarika. Hazarika alleged that Gogoi had furnished incorrect information before the Election Commission of India by not disclosing all criminal cases in his election affidavit. According to the Minister, official government records show 32 criminal cases registered against Gogoi, whereas Gogoi reportedly mentioned only 21 cases in his election affidavit. The exchange triggered a sharp verbal duel, with both leaders accusing each other of misleading the House and the public.
Gogoi and Home Department Yet to Respond
Neither Gogoi nor the Home Department has officially reacted to the Secretariat's communication so far. The Raijor Dal chief has not publicly addressed the discrepancy in the case count alleged by the Minister. Any formal response or rebuttal is expected once the Home Department submits its verified records.
What Happens Next
The issue could generate further debate in the Assembly once the report is submitted to Speaker Daimary. Any decision on the matter will reportedly depend on the official records provided by the Home Department and the legal provisions governing disclosure of criminal cases by election candidates. The controversy has added a fresh political dimension to the ongoing Budget Session of the Assam Legislative Assembly, where several contentious issues have dominated proceedings in recent days.