SC Allows Akhil Gogoi To Remain On Bail While UAPA Case Is Heard

GUWAHATI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday has directed that Sivasagar MLA and Raijor Dal chief Akhil Gogoi will remain on bail while a case under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) will continue in connection with the violence during the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in 2019 and alleged Maoist links.

However, the SC upheld an order by the Gauhati High Court which had set aside Gogoi's discharge in the case.

On March 20, the apex court had reserved its verdict on the appeal by the Assamese peasant leader and MLA against the high court order. The bench had in February sought the response of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in the matter.

The order was reserved by a bench of justices V Ramasubramanian and Pankaj Mithal after arguments were concluded in the matter.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) challenged the order of a Special NIA Court in July 2021 in Gauhati High Court, giving a clean chit to the four accused.

The High Court asked the probe agency to proceed with framing charges for reopening the case after hearing the plea.

Gogoi and three others were booked for the offences in relation to December 2019 protests and speeches against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and alleged links to Maoist organisations.

They were charged under various provisions of Unlawful Prevention Activities Act (UAPA) and for Sedition (section 124A), promoting enmity between religious groups (section 153A) and 153B (Statement against national integration) under the Indian Penal Code.

All four were charged under the UAPA Act and Sedition (section 124A), promoting enmity between religious groups (section 153A) and 153B (Statement against national integration) under the Indian Penal Code.

The UAPA case was registered against him by National Investigation Academy in connection with the protests against Citizenship Amendment Bill. According to sources, the NIA had approached the Supreme Court regarding the case.

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