Guwahati: A Guwahati court on Wednesday restrained Congress leaders Gaurav Gogoi, Bhupesh Baghel and Jitendra Singh from making any “defamatory statements” against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The court passed the order after Sarma filed a Rs 500 crore defamation suit against them.
Civil Judge (Senior Division) No. 1 Nayanjyoti Sarma heard the petitioner’s counsel and issued an ad-interim injunction. The judge barred the three Congress leaders, along with a leading Assamese daily, from making, publishing or circulating any defamatory statements against the chief minister until they appear in person before the court.
In the order, the judge said the court must grant interim relief to prevent injustice. He also said the case could lead to multiple legal proceedings if the court did not intervene at this stage.
The court directed the defendants, including Gogoi, to appear on March 9. The judge will take up the matter for further hearing on that day.
Advocate General Devajit Lon Saikia represented the chief minister in court. He said the court issued notices to the Congress leaders and to Jayanta Baruah, the owner of the Assamese daily. The court also asked the newspaper’s publisher and staff reporter to submit proof of the allegations.
Saikia said the chief minister took offence at remarks made during a Congress press conference. The party had accused Sarma of grabbing nearly 12,000 bighas of land in the state.
“My client feels hurt by these allegations,” Saikia said. He added that Sarma has denied the charges and described them as false.
Saikia said Sarma has challenged his critics to produce documentary evidence. He also rejected claims that Sarma became chief minister by betraying other leaders.
The advocate general said Sarma has disclosed his assets to the Election Commission. He added that Sarma has filed affidavits in every Assembly election he has contested since 2001.
“All his properties appear in his income tax returns and are fully accounted for,” Saikia said. He questioned how the Congress arrived at the figure of 12,000 bighas when official records reflect all declared assets.
Saikia accused the Congress of making the allegations to gain political mileage ahead of the elections. He said the party aimed to mislead voters.