Guwahati, April 18: Supreme Court on Tuesday granted bail to activist-turned politician and Sibsagar legislator Akhil Gogoi in a case registered under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for being allegedly vocal against the government during the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in 2019, as well as suspected links with Maoists.
Gogoi had moved the apex court against the February 9 order of the Gauhati High Court that allowed a special NIA (National Investigation Agency) court in Assam to proceed with the framing of charges against him in one of the two cases.
It may be recalled that Gogoi and three others were charged with various offences in connection with the December 2019 protests and speeches against the Citizenship Amendment Act as well as alleged ties with Maoist groups.
The charges included provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), sedition (Section 124A) of the Indian Penal Code, and promoting enmity between religious groups (Section 153A) and statement against national integration (Section 153B) under the Indian Penal Code.
Notably, a special NIA court in Guwahati had discharged Gogoi of all charges in July 2021
Conveying his gratitude to the Supreme Court, Gogoi said that the bail granted by the apex court would embolden his resolve to work proactively as an Opposition member.
“The central government, Assam government and NIA wanted to put me behind bars. A special NIA court had earlier discharged me of all charges on the ground there was not enough evidence against me. However, NIA moved Gauhati High Court to challenge the order of the special NIA court. Thereafter, I had appealed against the High Court order and the Supreme Court has today been granted permanent bail, which means I will be on bail till the trial is over,” Gogoi told the media on Tuesday.
