Guwahati, May 29: In a dramatic turn in the alleged Pakistan link case involving Jorhat MP and Assam Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi, senior Congress leader Ripun Bora was interrogated for nearly five hours by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Chief Minister’s Vigilance Cell on Thursday.
The SIT summoned Bora under case No. 5/25, days after he addressed a press conference at Rajiv Bhawan in Guwahati on May 25, where he accused Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of orchestrating a “political smear campaign” against Gogoi without any credible evidence.
Speaking to reporters after the interrogation, Bora said, “A team led by SP Rosy Kalita questioned me for four hours. They focused on my press conference and asked why I defended Gaurav Gogoi, and what data I had. They said Gogoi secretly visited Pakistan and asked why I was backing him. I answered everything accurately.”
While describing the questioning as “friendly,” Bora made it clear that he stood by his statements and demanded the SIT probe go both ways.
Bora didn’t stop at defending Gogoi. He turned the tables by urging the SIT to summon Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and BJP MLA Diganta Kalita for questioning.
“I asked them: If the CM claims to have solid evidence against Gogoi, why did he doctor two photos—one of Parliament and one of an embassy? He even claimed he was in touch with Pakistan. During a war-like situation, how is he contacting Pakistan? He must reveal how these connections were made,” Bora said.
“Kalita posted on Facebook that Gogoi was in Pakistan for 15 days, flew to Karachi, stayed in a hotel, and dined with a Maulana. Where did he get this info? Was he with Gogoi? In 2013, Kalita was in Congress and friends with Gogoi—he should be questioned too.”
Bora concluded by reaffirming his commitment to the law: “They said they might call me again. I told them—call me a hundred times, I’ll come. I’m a citizen of this country and I respect the law.”
The SIT’s probe continues to draw political heat, with allegations, counterclaims, and demands for accountability deepening the controversy surrounding Gaurav Gogoi’s alleged foreign link.
