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2 min readGuwahatiFeb 13, 2026 07:21 AM IST
A court in Guwahati has restrained Congress leaders Gaurav Gogoi, Jitendra Singh Alwar and Bhupesh Baghel from making “defamatory statements” against Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma till March 9, in connection with a defamation case filed by Sarma against them.
After a hearing on the case on Wednesday, a civil judge issued an ‘ad-intermin injunction’ restraining the three leaders, as well as an Assamese daily newspaper, from “making, publishing, circulating or disseminating any further defamatory statements or materials concerning the petitioner till their appearance in court”.
The court fixed March 9 for the appearance of the defendants.
Assam Advocate General Devajit Saikia told reporters, “The Chief Minister has taken the matter to the court that if there is some illegality in his properties, the Congress party should bring evidence and prove it. He has given a challenge to the Congress party and the individuals — Gaurav Gogoi, Bhupesh Baghel, and Jitendra Singh. If they are unable to prove it, the Chief Minister has claimed Rs 500 crore as damages. After the hearing, the judge has passed an ad-interim stay order… These three people have been restrained from speaking any further on this, and this paper has also been restrained from publishing such reports till their appearance in the court on March 9.”
In a press conference last Wednesday, the Congress had launched a new campaign against Sarma, accusing his family of being involved in alleged land-grabbing. Sarma has rejected the allegations and called them “false, malicious and defamatory”. He threatened civil and criminal defamation proceedings against Congress leaders who led the press conference.
Sukrita Baruah is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in Guwahati. From this strategic hub, she provides comprehensive, ground-level coverage of India's North East, a region characterized by its complex ethnic diversity, geopolitical significance, and unique developmental challenges. Expertise and Experience Ethnic & Social Dynamics: Deep-dive coverage of regional conflicts (such as the crisis in Manipur) and peace-building efforts. Border & Geopolitics: Tracking developments along India’s international borders and their impact on local communities. Governance & Policy: Reporting on state elections, tribal council decisions, and the implementation of central schemes in the North East. Specialized Education Background: Prior to her current role, Sukrita was a dedicated Education Correspondent for The Indian Express in Delhi. This experience provided her with a sharp analytical lens for: Policy Analysis: Evaluating the National Education Policy (NEP) and university-level reforms. Student Affairs: Covering high-stakes stories regarding campus politics, national entrance exams, and the challenges within the primary and secondary education sectors. ... Read More
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