On Monday (28 September 2020), Guwahati High Court admitted the plea filed by Akhil Gogoi, Assam Activist against the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) rejection of his bail in a case related to his involvement in the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act. The appeal was filed under section 21 (4) of the NIA Act, 2008 has been directed against the order dated 13.07.2020 passed by the learned Special Judge, National Investigation Agency, in Misc Case (NIA) No. 18/2020, thereby rejecting the plea.
Gogoi was arrested for his role in the involvement of violence during the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act in Assam in December 2019. After his arrest, three of his colleagues were taken into custody during the intense anti-CAA movement last year from Jorhat, Assam as a “preventive measure” in view of the deteriorating law and order in the state. When NIA Court in Guwahati had rejected his bail application in August, Gogoi approached the High Court.
The Guwahati High Court granted him bail in three cases on July 16 lodged by Assam Police in link with the violent anti- CAA protests. While granting bail to Gogoi, the Guwahati High Court ordered him to not indulge in any activities or protests further.
On May 29, while Gogoi was still already in jail, the three cases were related to the burning of a post office, a circle office, and a branch of the United Bank of India in Chabua during violent protests against the controversial CAA. Even after being granted bail for three cases by Guwahati High Court, he remained in jail as the cases against him were probed by the NIA. On July 11, Gogoi was tested COVID positive and was given treatment at the Guwahati Medical College and Hospital. As of now, NIA is investigating two cases against the Gogoi, Advisor of Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), which were filed at Chandmari and Chabua police stations, related to the alleged role of Gogoi and his three colleagues in the CAA protests.
The Special NIA Court had granted the bail to Gogoi on March 17 in the Chandmari police station case and the same to others as the investigation agency failed to file the charge sheet within the time period of 90 days. On May 29, NIA filed the charge sheet against Gogoi and three of his colleagues for sedition and terror activities. Lastly, the Guwahati High Court directed the NIA to produce the case records on the next hearing, i.e. 13 October 2020.
