GUWAHATI, Nov 7: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi on Friday traded charges over proposed protests if the accused in the Zubeen Garg death case were granted bail.
The exchange followed the Supreme Court's decision to defer till November 30 the hearing on the bail pleas of Shyamkanu Mahanta and Siddharth Sharma. Within hours, Sarma addressed a press conference while Gogoi responded through a Facebook Live session.
Sarma alleged that a group led by an MLA had threatened to lay siege to his residence if the two main accused secured bail. He said targeting his residence was not merely a protest threat but a threat to his family's security, and could amount to an attempt on his life. He also alleged a conspiracy to create unrest in Assam.
He said protests could be held outside the secretariat, deputy commissioner's office or police station, but his residence should not be targeted. Sarma asked those with information about the case to depose before the court rather than question him.
“Ask the witnesses instead of questioning me. Nobody has been prevented from giving evidence in court,” Sarma said.
He said the Supreme Court was not under the state government and the government would follow court orders. Referring to the Gauhati High Court order on Amritprabha Mahanta's bail, Sarma said around 160 witnesses had not named her during the trial despite naming her before the Special Investigation Team.
Gogoi, the Sivasagar MLA, said the movement seeking justice for Zubeen was not against the judiciary but against the state executive and investigating agencies. He alleged that the government had failed to place sufficient and appropriate evidence before the court, and demanded further investigation and a supplementary chargesheet.
He said protests would be extended to the Chief Minister's official residence, office and public meetings if the accused secured bail. Gogoi said he could not be a witness as he was not in Singapore and would not present himself as a false witness.
Gogoi also questioned Sarma's earlier statement in the Assembly that Zubeen's death was murder, alleging that the Chief Minister had promised justice before the election but was now leaving the outcome to the court and witnesses. Sarma said his Assembly remarks were reflected in the chargesheet and that the court would decide guilt or innocence.
The Supreme Court will hear on November 30 the bail pleas of Shyamkanu Mahanta and Siddharth Sharma, along with the state government's pleas challenging the Gauhati High Court bail orders for Amritprabha Mahanta and Sandipan Garg.
