Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) advisor and noted Assamese human rights activist Akhil Gogoi was granted bail by the Gauhati High Court on Thursday in three cases filed against him in connection with his participation in the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests.
All three cases; 293/2019, 296/2019 and 307/2019, had been filed by the Chabua police station. He was charged under sections 144, 143, 148, 153, 153 (A), 153 (B), along with Sections 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property, Act (PDPPA). But these are just three of the 12 cases slapped on Gogoi by a vindictive regime that has been harassing the activist for months by filing fresh cases against him, so that when he gets bail in one, yet another comes up in a different jurisdiction.
So far absurd and trumped up charges filed against Gogoi include unlawful assembly, rioting, wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot, promoting enmity between different groups on the basis of religion, race, religion, and language; imputations and assertions which are an impediment to national integration, assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharging his/her duty, mischief of causing damage to public property, and causing damage to public property by fire or explosive substance! Under UAPA, Gogoi has been charged with terrorist acts with the intent to threaten the unity, security, and sovereignty of India.
Therefore, despite bail in three cases, Gogoi’s troubles are far from over. Hearings are coming up in two cases under the National Investigation Agency (NIA); one where he is accused of having Maoist links and another where he is accused of burning down a Chabua MLA’s house. The hearings are scheduled on July 20 and 21.
Gogoi was first arrested from Jorhat in December 2019 and his custody was subsequently transferred to the NIA. His fellow activists, Bitu Sonowal and Dharjya Konwar, who have also recently tested positive for Covid-19, were also arrested shortly after Gogoi’s arrest along with Manas Konwar secured bail and walked out of jail only recently.
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