Guwahati, Feb 12: A court in Guwahati has restrained Congress leaders Gaurav Gogoi, Bhupesh Baghel and Jitendra Singh from making any further “defamatory statements” against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in connection with a ₹500 crore defamation suit filed by the Chief Minister.
The order was passed by Civil Judge (Senior Division) No. 1, Nayanjyoti Sarma, who granted an ad-interim injunction after hearing the petitioner’s counsel. The court directed the three Congress leaders, along with certain prominent Assamese individuals named in the plea, to refrain from making, publishing, circulating or disseminating any further defamatory statements or materials concerning the Chief Minister until they appear before the court.
The defamation case was filed after allegations surfaced accusing Sarma of illegally owning 12,000 bighas of land. The Chief Minister has termed the claims baseless and malicious, and has challenged the Congress leaders to substantiate their allegations, seeking ₹500 crore in damages if they fail to provide proof.
In his order, Judge Sarma observed that failure to grant the ad-interim injunction could “defeat the justice” and result in a multiplicity of proceedings, indicating the court’s prima facie view that interim protection was warranted.
The court has fixed March 9 for the appearance of the defendants, and the matter will be taken up for further hearing on that day.
The development marks a significant escalation in the legal dispute between the Chief Minister and senior Congress leaders, with the interim order placing immediate restrictions on further public statements related to the allegations.
