‘False and fabricated’: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma alleges ‘Pakistani link’ after Congress’ claim on wife’s passport. india news
Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday alleged that the entire press conference held by Congress leaders Pawan Kheda 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, Riniki Bhuiyan Sarma, have filed an FIR against Pawan Khera over the use of ‘fraudulent documents’.He claimed that the passports allegedly belonging to his wife were fake. “The original passport of UAE was uploaded on social media by a Pakistani person. He (Congress) did AI photoshop in the passport. Tipu Sultan uploaded the original passport on social media. The Egyptian passport is also fake. You can find out through Google reverse,” Sarma said.Explaining the origin of the press conference material, Himanta said that the material shared by the Congress leaders was obtained from an external source.He said, “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 supplied by a Pakistani social media group.”He said Pakistan-affiliated channels had recently aired several election-related shows in favor of the Congress.Sarma said, “In the last 10 days, a Pakistani channel has done at least 11 talk shows regarding elections in Assam, which had never happened before. The conclusion in every talk show is that Congress should win. The Pakistan link of yesterday’s press conference has also become clear now. I am sure the law enforcement agency will look into it.”The Assam Chief Minister also warned about the legal consequences of using fake documents to influence public opinion.“Generally, when you raise an issue with the public with fake documents, it attracts sections 420 and 468 of the IPC. When such allegations are used to influence the outcome of an election, higher penal provisions, including life imprisonment, are applicable,” he said.Sarma confirmed that his wife has filed an FIR in response to the allegations. “Yesterday my wife lodged an FIR and I am sure the police will register a case under appropriate sections of the law and take necessary action,” he said.On the issue of Dubai and other passports, Sarma rejected the claims as fake.“Assam Police has already started investigation. It has been confirmed from the Dubai Government website that the mentioned Dubai passport is fake. The Government of India has also confirmed that the Dubai passport is fake,” he said.He clarified that reports from the respective governments on other passports related to his wife are expected soon.“The reports on the other two passports will be received by Monday or Tuesday. The photograph used in one of the passports is not that of my wife,” Sarma insisted.Sarma has also highlighted technical discrepancies in the alleged documents, calling them evidence of forgery or digital manipulation. He presented a detailed presentation claiming that anyone could register a company by paying US$199. Himanta alleged that Congress used images of passports and documents obtained from a Pakistani social media group.He said the allegations are part of a politically motivated campaign by the Congress ahead of the Assam Assembly elections.
Gaurav Gogoi took a jibe at Himanta
Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President Gaurav Gogoi on Monday targeted the CM over the Dubai passport controversy. In a post on X, he wrote: “Reading about the Golden Visa in Dubai. It is a long term residence visa that enables investors to reside in the UAE.”
What is the controversy?
The controversy stems from claims made by Pawan Kheda, who alleged that documents showed that Sarma’s wife held multiple active passports, raising questions about possible violations of Indian law. Khera also questioned the chief minister’s stand on dual citizenship provisions: “Himanta Biswa Sarma’s entire politics is based on hatred against Muslims, but how does his wife have passports of two Muslim countries? As per Indian law, you cannot have dual citizenship, so does Rinki Bhuyan Sarma also have an Indian passport? Is Himanta Biswa Sarma the adopted son of Amit Shah? And does the country’s home minister know that his adopted son’s wife has Have 3 passports?”Khera sought a probe into the chief minister’s financial and property ties abroad, alleging that his wife’s Dubai and US assets were hidden in official affidavits.The passport and foreign assets controversy comes after a series of allegations made earlier by Kheda, who had raised questions over multiple passports, foreign shell companies and undeclared assets linked to the CM’s family.“Are they denying that he has no properties in Dubai? Are they denying that he has no companies in the US? Are they denying that he has no shell companies anywhere in the world? We will give more evidence every day. There is a lot more coming. Why has he hidden Dubai properties owned by his wife in his election affidavit?”In response, Himanta Biswa Sarma announced criminal and civil defamation cases against Khera and expressed confidence in the judicial process.