Akhil Gogi released; NIA prepares to appeal in HC | Economic Times

Assam MLA Akhil Gogoi on Thursday walked free after 19 months’ captivity, as a special NIA court cleared him of all charges under UAPA for his alleged role in the anti-CAA stir in December 2019. The National Investigative Agency, however, said it would appeal against the court’s decision to not frame charges.NIA will seek legal opinion on the court ruling and is expected to challenge Gogoi’s discharge before the Guwahati high court on Friday. “We are examining the order and will file a review before the high court. Gogoi was not in jail but in hospital for the last few months,” said a senior government official in New Delhi. Gogoi walked out of the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital later in the day, where he was undergoing treatment for various ailments.“Truth has finally prevailed, though no efforts were spared to keep me behind the bars,” the Raijor Dal chief said after his release. Gogoi said he will visit the parents of ‘first CAA martyr’ Sam Stafford at their residence in Hatigaon area of Guwahati. “From there, I will visit the offices of Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti and Raijor Dal today. I leave for my constituency Sivasagar tomorrow early in the morning and thank people for electing me while I was in prison.”Gogoi and his associates were accused in two cases under the UAPA for their alleged role in violent protests against the CAA in December 2019. Gogoi was also accused of having links with Maoists. NIA Special Judge Pranjal Das did not frame any charge against Gogoi, Dhairjya Konwar, Manas Konwar and Bitu Sonowal pertaining to the case in Chandmari police station. In this case he was accused of Maoist links. The accused were discharged on June 22 in the Chabua case. NIA on Tuesday introduced a supplement charge sheet in the Chandmari case, based on the testimony of a protected witness.Announcing his first action as MLA, Gogoi said, “I will move a private member’s resolution in the budget session declaring Sivsagar as a state heritage site. I have asked a starred question in the assembly as to how many people will be settled through CAA in Assam, besides how many people died and what was relief and compensation provided to them.”Upamanyu Hazarika, convenor of NGO Prabajan Virodhi Manch said the verdict showed that Gogoi and his associates did not commit any terrorist act.