Guwahati, February 8: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday escalated his allegations against Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, claiming that Gogoi’s wife, Elizabeth Colebourn, worked under Pakistani national Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, whom he described as a key figure in a cross-border “anti-India conspiracy”.
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| Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi with his wife Elizabeth Colebourn |
Addressing a press conference in Guwahati, Sarma alleged that Elizabeth Colebourn, a British national, was engaged by organisations linked to Sheikh - identified by the Chief Minister as head of LEAD Pakistan and close to Pakistan’s military and political leadership. According to Sarma, she functioned as an on-ground operative in India, reporting directly to Sheikh and bypassing Indian leadership structures of the organisation she worked with.
Citing details shared by the state government, Sarma alleged that agreements between LEAD Pakistan and LEAD India were initiated and signed in March–April 2011, with operational work in India beginning in June 2012. He further claimed that Elizabeth received foreign funds during 2012–15, travelled frequently, including alleged visits to Pakistan, and transmitted confidential information to Pakistan-based handlers. The Chief Minister asserted that these actions amounted to attempts to influence India’s internal policy debates, exploit Centre–state tensions, and compromise national security through low-visibility operations.
Sarma said the Assam government’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) has examined the matter and that the probe has reached a stage requiring central assistance, including coordination with national agencies. The Assam Cabinet has decided to refer the case to the Ministry of Home Affairs for further action by a central agency.
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Responding sharply, Gaurav Gogoi dismissed the allegations as politically motivated. In a post on X, he termed the Chief Minister’s press conference a “super flop,” calling the claims “mindless and bogus,” and accused Sarma of attempting to divert attention from alleged land issues involving the Chief Minister’s family. Gogoi did not address the specific allegations regarding his wife’s employment or links to Sheikh in his post.
There has been no independent confirmation of the claims made by the Assam government. Neither Elizabeth Colebourn nor Ali Tauqeer Sheikh has issued a public response so far. Central agencies have also not commented on whether they will take up the case.
The matter has triggered sharp political reactions in Assam, with the ruling BJP framing it as a national security issue, while the Congress has termed it a smear campaign ahead of key political developments in the state.
