NIA Court frames charges against Assam's Independent MLA Akhil Gogoi

Guwahati (Assam) [India], October 22: The special court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday framed charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and India Penal Code (IPC) against Assam's Independent MLA Akhil Gogoi and three other accused in connection with a case related to anti-CAA protests and alleged Maoist links.
Santanu Borthakur, the advocate for Akhil Gogoi, told ANI that the court has framed charges against the former president of Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) Akhil Gogoi and the other three accused, Dhaijya Konwar, Bittu Sonowal and Manash Konwar.
"Today was the day of passing order of consideration of charge and the court framed the charges against the accused, Akhil Gogoi under Section 18 of UAPA and Section 120(B), 153(A), 153(B) of IPC. The other accused persons are concerned, the court was placed to frame the charge under Section 120(B) and Section 18 of the UAPA. So far as other charges are concerned, in which the prosecution side is placed Section 34(A) of UAPA and Section 124(A) of IPC, the court didn't find any material on both charges, therefore they have been discharged on both charges. However, charges have been framed," Santanu Borthakur said.
Meanwhile, Akhil Gogoi spoke to the ANI and indicated that they may appeal to a higher court to challenge the order of the NIA Special Court.
"We may move to the High Court or the Supreme Court to challenge the order," he said.
Earlier, Assam's Independent MLA Gogoi and the other accused were granted bail from the Supreme Court in connection with the case related to anti-CAA protests and alleged Maoist links.
In February last year, the Gauhati High Court allowed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to frame charges against Akhil Gogoi and three others in connection with the case.
The order came following an appeal by the NIA challenging the Special NIA Court's decision to give a clean chit to the four accused.
Akhil Gogoi won the 2021 Assam assembly polls as an independent candidate from the Sibsagar constituency while he was in jail. (ANI)