Assam govt orders probe into alleged Pakistan links of MP Gaurav Gogoi’s wife

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 16, 2025

The Assam Cabinet has directed the state police to conduct an investigation into the alleged links between British national Elizabeth Colburn, the wife of Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, and a Pakistani official.

Addressing a press conference following a cabinet meeting on Sunday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the decision, citing concerns over national security and foreign interference in Indian affairs.

Pak-linked individual attempting to destabilize Assam

Sarma stated that recent reports and social media activity had brought to light comments made by Pakistani national Ali Touki Sheikh, allegedly aimed at disrupting communal harmony in Assam.

“Ali Sheikh has a history of making statements on India’s internal and parliamentary affairs, raising serious concerns about his intentions. He holds strong connections with the Pakistani government, having served in advisory positions and committees formed by the Prime Minister of Pakistan. His involvement in Assam’s political discourse is alarming, given Pakistan’s historical attempts to destabilize the region,” Sarma said.

Link to Gaurav Gogoi’s wife

According to Sarma, a deeper examination of Sheikh’s social media activity revealed his association with Elizabeth Colburn, a British citizen and Gogoi’s spouse.

“Sheikh is not only connected to the Pakistani government but also founded ‘Lead Pakistan,’ an organization working in climate change policy. Colburn was an integral part of this organization. Given Assam’s history as a hotspot for ISI-sponsored activities, heightened vigilance is necessary,” Sarma added.

The Assam government has called for a thorough investigation into Colburn’s associations, questioning whether her involvement with Sheikh and Lead Pakistan posed a security risk to India.

Demand for cooperation in investigation

The Chief Minister urged Colburn to fully cooperate with the inquiry, providing relevant documents such as her passport, visa, and travel history.

“Even though Elizabeth is a British national, she is married to an Assam MP and must assist with the investigation. If the police seek to question MP Gaurav Gogoi regarding his links to Pakistan or his past inquiries in the Lok Sabha about nuclear issues, he should also cooperate,” Sarma said.

He further claimed that during Colburn’s association with Gogoi, she had unrestricted access to the Chief Minister’s residence. “This is now a legal matter, and I will refrain from making further political statements. The police have likely registered a case, and I expect the Director General of Police (DGP) to provide further details,” he stated.

Visa violation and foreign interference in elections

Sarma also raised concerns about Colburn’s alleged violation of Indian visa regulations, stating that she had participated in election campaigns in Assam, which is prohibited for foreign nationals.

“Under Indian visa conditions, no foreign national can interfere in the country’s electoral process. Colburn was actively involved in electioneering in Kaliabor during the last two elections, which is a direct violation. The Union government will decide whether to allow her continued stay in India,” he added.

Security implications and alleged attempts to gather nuclear information

The Chief Minister further alleged that Gogoi had sought sensitive information from the Indian government regarding nuclear security.

“His visits to embassies have been confirmed. Following these visits, he attempted to gather details on India’s nuclear secrets, uranium reserves in Meghalaya, and foreign assistance in nuclear tests. What was his intent behind such inquiries?” Sarma questioned.

He also stated that a letter would be sent to Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Bhupen Kumar Borah, clarifying that the investigation was purely for national security and not politically motivated.

“If a British or Pakistani national is trying to interfere with India’s sovereignty under the guise of climate activism, we must act decisively. National security cannot be compromised, regardless of political affiliations,” Sarma concluded.