‘False and fabricated’: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma alleges ‘Pakistani link’ after Congress claims on wife’s passports | India News
Himanta Biswa Sharma Monday alleged that the entire press conference conducted by Congress leaders Pawan Khera and Gaurav Gogoi was based on material supplied by a ‘Pakistani social media group’.Addressing a press conference, Sarma said that both he and his wife, Rinikki Bhuyan Sarma, had filed an FIR against Pawan Khera for what he described as the use of ‘forged documents’.He claimed that the passports attached to his wife were fake. “The original UAE passport was uploaded on social media by a Pakistani person. They (Congress) did AI photoshop on the passport. Tipu Sultan uploaded the original passport on social media. Egyptian passports are also fake. You can find out through Google reverse,” said Sarma.Explaining the source of the material in the press conference, Himanta said that the content shared by the Congress leaders was sourced externally.“Yesterday, Pawan Khera and Gaurav Gogoi held two press conferences, one in Delhi, one in Guwahati. During our research, we found that the entire content of the press conference was provided by a Pakistani social media group,” he said.He added that Pakistan-linked channels had recently aired several election-related programs in favor of the Congress.“In the last 10 days, a Pakistani channel has aired at least 11 talk shows on Assam elections, which has never happened before. In every talk show, the conclusion is that Congress should win. Pakistan’s link with yesterday’s press conference is also now very clear. I am sure the law enforcement agencies will take it into account,” I am sure.The Assam chief minister also warned of the legal consequences of using forged documents to influence public opinion.“Normally, when you raise a public issue of fraudulent documents, it attracts Sections 420 and 468 of the IPC. When such charges are used to influence election results, higher penalties are applicable, including life imprisonment,” he said.Sarma confirmed that his wife has lodged an FIR in response to the allegations. “Yesterday, my wife filed an FIR, and I am sure the police will register a case under appropriate sections of the law and take necessary action,” he added.On Dubai and other passports, Sarma dismissed the claims as bogus.“Assam police has already started investigation. It has been confirmed from a Dubai government website that the Dubai passport is fake. The Indian government has also confirmed that the Dubai passport is fake,” he said.He clarified that reports on other passports linked to his wife are expected from the respective governments soon.“The report of the other two passports will be available on Monday or Tuesday. The photograph used in one passport is not of my wife,” Sarma asserted.Sarma also pointed out technical discrepancies throughout the alleged documents, calling them evidence of fabrication or digital manipulation. He presented a detailed presentation claiming that anyone can register a company by paying USD 199. Himanta alleged that the Congress had used photos of passports and documents collected from a social media group in Pakistan.He maintained that the allegations were part of a politically motivated campaign by the Congress ahead of the Assam Assembly elections.
Gaurav Gogoi jibes at Himanta
Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Gaurav Gogoi on Monday hit out at the chief minister over the Dubai passport controversy. In a post on X, he wrote: “Reading about the Dubai Golden Visa. It’s a long-term resident visa that enables investors to live in the UAE.”
What is the controversy?
The controversy stems from claims made by Pawan Khera, who alleged that documents suggest that Sarma’s wife holds multiple active passports, raising questions about potential violations of Indian law. Khera also questioned the Chief Minister’s stand on the dual citizenship provision: “Himant Biswa Sharma’s entire politics is based on hatred against Muslims, but how does his wife hold passports from two Muslim countries? As per Indian law, you cannot hold dual citizenship, so does Rinki Bhuiyan Sharma also have an Indian passport? Does Himant Biswa Sharma’s Home Minister know that this country’s Home Minister and adopted Shah’s son? Son’s wife has 3 passports?Khera also demanded a probe into the chief minister’s financial and property links abroad, alleging that his wife’s Dubai and US assets were concealed in official affidavits.The row over passports and foreign assets follows a series of complaints raised earlier by Khera, who questioned multiple passports, foreign shell companies and undisclosed assets linked to the chief minister’s family.“Are they denying that they don’t have any property in Dubai? Are they denying that they don’t have any company in America? Are they denying that they don’t have any shell company anywhere in the world? We will provide more evidence every day. More is coming. Why did he hide the Dubai property owned by his wife from his election affidavit?”In response, Himanta Biswa Sharma announced criminal and civil defamation cases against Khera and expressed confidence in the judicial process.
