Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Files Rs 500-Crore Defamation Suit

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has filed a ₹500 crore defamation lawsuit against senior Congress leaders, escalating a bitter political confrontation weeks before crucial state elections. The civil and criminal defamation suit was lodged on Tuesday, with Sarma alleging the Congress leaders made “false, malicious and defamatory” claims about him and his family’s land holdings.

In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Sarma said he had moved the suit against Congress leaders Gaurav Gogoi, Jitendra Singh and Bhupesh Baghel, asserting that statements they made at a press conference were designed to damage his reputation. He added that if the opposition has evidence to support their claims, they should present it before a court of law.

The legal action follows a press briefing held earlier this month, during which Gogoi — the Assam Congress president and Lok Sabha MP — claimed the party’s investigation had revealed that Sarma and his family had allegedly acquired nearly 12,000 bighas (around 3,960 acres) of land across the state. Sarma has strongly denied these allegations, calling them unfounded and politically motivated.

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Sarma’s move to seek ₹500 crore in damages signals a sharper legal counterattack against the opposition at a time when political tensions are high in Assam. The chief minister characterised the allegations as part of coordinated political theatrics and propaganda, stating he would not be intimidated by them.

The Congress party has not yet issued an official response to the filing of the defamation suit, but the broader dispute has already stirred protests. According to reports, Congress workers staged demonstrations in Dispur, calling for transparency and accountability regarding land allegations against Sarma.

The development adds another layer to the ongoing political battle in Assam, where electioneering and recriminations between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the opposition Congress have intensified. The case is likely to play out in court while also shaping public discourse ahead of upcoming polls.

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