'My case proves gross misuse of UAPA, NIA Act': Akhil Gogoi

Guwahati: Assam MLA Akhil Gogoi who was released from jail after being cleared of all charges in the Special NIA Court, described NIA Court's verdict as "historic". He said his case was proof that the UAPA and NIA Act were grossly misused.

Labelling the National Investigation Agency (NIA) as a "mere political tool" of the BJP government at the Centre, the Independent legislator from Sibsagar constituency said the judgment will be a landmark for those arrested through the misuse of the two anti-terror laws.

"My case proves the gross misuse of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the NIA Act. The verdict will be a milestone for those arrested through the misuse of the two legislations," the anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act activist told PTI in an interview after 567 days of imprisonment. 

Gogoi who was charged for his role in anti-CAA stir, walked free on Thursday after being arrested on December 12, 2019. He said that the Special NIA Court's verdict is historic because it exposed the NIA, which has become a "political agency" like the CBI and the ED.

"Even on Thursday, the NIA wanted to slap a fresh case but by the time they reached the court with the appeal, the verdict was already out," he said.

In an additional chargesheet filed by the NIA on June 29, Gogoi alleged that "false charges of honey trapping, cow smuggling and training at a Maoist camp" were brought against him.

The Raijor Dal chief alleged that the NIA had offered him instant bail if he agreed to join the RSS or BJP, a charge levelled earlier by him in a letter written from the prison in May.

"When they took me into custody, their only question was whether I would join the RSS. Not once had they asked anything about my alleged links with Maoists. My CIO D R Singh never spoke about red rebels before me. He said that if I joined the RSS, I would be released in 10 days."

"When I replied in negative, he offered me to join the BJP and become a minister. I refused that too. He then said that I would be jailed for 10 years," Gogoi said.

He said the Special NIA Court's judgement is a "turning point" in the judiciary as it shows that the "pressure of the executive" is not permanent.

The court of Special NIA Judge Pranjal Das observed that there was nothing to indicate that the "talk of blockade" threatened the country's economic security or was "a terrorist act."

In a strongly worded judgement, the court said that in the interest of justice, it has found the conduct and approach of the investigating authority in this case to be "discouraging", to say the least.

"The court has high expectations from a premier investigating agency like the NIA, entrusted with the profoundly important task of protecting our country and us, citizens from the menace of terrorism."

"The court hopes and expects that, such high standards will be upheld, for sake of the country and this one will be just an exception," Special NIA Judge Pranjal Das said in his order copy."

Gogoi became the first person in Assam to win an assembly election from behind the bars in the recently concluded polls.

(Based on PTI feed)