Gauhati High Court Acquits RTI Activist Akhil Gogoi of Sedition Charges

In a huge blow to the BJP-led government in Assam, the Gauhati High Court on Thursday absolved RTI activist and peasants’ leader Akhil Gogoi of sedition charges and ordered an inquiry into the apparent irregularities perpetrated by the Assam government during his arrest. He was detained under the National Security Act (NSA), 1980.

Justice Achintya Malla Bujar Barua passed the judgment, after conducting eight rounds of hearing, which stated that he was entitled to immediate release if not arrested in any other case.

Gogoi, the leader of peasants’ body Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), was arrested by the Dibrugarh police on September 13. According to reports, the government asserted that Gogoi, while addressing a rally in Moran, Assam, had said, "If Hindu migrants from Bangladesh were forced upon Assam people, people here would be compelled to take up arms."

The rally was organised days after a surrendered militant of United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) was assaulted by a group of traders, including non-Assamese, in central Assam’s Nagaon town. The incident had flared up communal tension in the area.

Akhil had then moved the High Court challenging the detention under NSA.

The opposition Congress party has welcomed the court's order and stated that its stand has been vindicated. The leader of the Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly, Debabrata Saikia had met Gogoi in the Dibrugarh Central jail.

Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Ripun Bora said, "When we issued a statement urging the state government to release Gogoi, BJP ridiculed us, now the High Court has provided relief to Gogoi."

For the past few years, Gogoi has been leading an anti-corruption movement and fighting for the homeless besides staging protests against the hydel project.