Guwahati Court Issues Gag Order Against Congress Leaders in ₹500-Crore Defamation Suit by Assam CM

A Guwahati court has passed an interim injunction restraining senior Congress leaders Gaurav Gogoi, Jitendra Singh, and Bhupesh Baghel from making further defamatory statements against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The order, issued by Civil Judge Nayanjyoti Sarma, also extends to the publication and dissemination of such remarks by the media. The court observed that a prima facie case had been established, noting that the Chief Minister’s reputation—built over years in public service—appeared to have been “dented” by the allegations. The judge emphasized that failing to grant this interim relief would lead to a “multiplicity of proceedings” and defeat the ends of justice, especially since the defendants had not yet provided authentic documentation to support their claims.

The legal battle stems from a ₹500-crore defamation suit filed by the Chief Minister following a Congress press conference where leaders alleged that Sarma and his family had illegally acquired nearly 12,000 bighas of land. Sarma dismissed these accusations as “false, malicious, and politically motivated,” asserting that all his assets are regularly declared in election affidavits and government records. While the Congress maintains the move is an attempt to silence the opposition, the court has directed the three leaders to appear on March 9 to present their evidence. This ruling effectively places a gag order on the specific allegations regarding the Chief Minister’s assets until the next hearing.