Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has filed a civil defamation case seeking ₹500 crore in damages against senior Congress leaders Jitendra Singh, Bhupesh Baghel, and Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi. The move comes after the BJP leader accused them of making false, malicious, and defamatory allegations against him during a recent press conference in Guwahati.
Announcing the legal action through a post on social media platform X, Sarma stated that he had approached the Kamrup District Civil Court to seek damages for the statements made by the Congress leaders. The controversy began after the Assam Congress launched a website titled “Who Is HBS” on February 4. The website and an accompanying pamphlet allegedly accused the Chief Minister of corruption, misuse of power, and disrespecting cultural icons.
Congress leaders also claimed that Sarma and his family owned nearly 12,000 bighas, or approximately 4,000 acres, of land. They alleged that agricultural land had been illegally converted into industrial land by manipulating rules. However, the website reportedly faced technical issues and was allegedly hacked shortly after its launch.
The political clash intensified as the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) filed a separate police complaint against the BJP and Sarma. The complaint accused the ruling party of using artificial intelligence to circulate a now-deleted video that allegedly targeted Gaurav Gogoi and portrayed a religious minority individual as him. APCC spokesperson Gopal Sarma criticised the BJP, calling its actions a dangerous form of political strategy ahead of the 2026 Assam Assembly elections.
Responding to the complaint, Himanta Sarma maintained a defiant stance, stating that legal cases would not silence him. He reiterated his position that he would continue speaking openly on political matters and dismissed the allegations against him.
The legal and political confrontation has added fresh tension to Assam’s political landscape, with both parties accusing each other of misinformation and misconduct. With court proceedings now underway, the case is expected to remain a major talking point in the run-up to the state elections.
