GUWAHATI, Oct 22: A National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on Tuesday has dropped two charges against Raijor Dal chief and Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi, along with three others, in connection with the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests in 2019. The court dismissed charges under Section 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), related to unlawful activities and sedition.
Despite this, four charges—Sections 120B, 153A, and 153B of the IPC, and Section 18 of the UAPA—remain, and the investigation into these will continue. Gogoi’s lawyer, Shantanu Borthakur, noted that while the allegations linking the group to Maoists were dropped, the probe into conspiracy and promoting enmity between communities remains active.
After the court’s decision, Gogoi criticized the state and central governments for pressuring the judiciary and reopening the case, despite a prior acquittal. He also mentioned that he cannot be arrested unless proven guilty, citing a February 2023 Supreme Court ruling.
Gogoi and his associates—Dhaijya Konwar, Bittu Sonowal, and Manash Konwar—were first arrested in December 2019 for their roles in the protests, with the case later transferred to the NIA. Following a directive from the Gauhati High Court, the NIA was allowed to frame charges against them earlier this year.
