Court restrains Congress leaders from making ‘defamatory statements’ against Assam CM

Court restrains Congress leaders from making defamatory statements against Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma amid a ₹500 crore defamation case.

A court in Guwahati restrained Congress leaders Gaurav Gogoi, Bhupesh Baghel and Jitendra Singh from making "defamatory statements" against Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, who has filed a ₹500 crore defamation case.

After hearing the petitioner's counsel, Civil Judge of Senior Division No. 1, Nayanjyoti Sarma, ordered an 'ad-interim injunction' on Wednesday (February 11, 2026), restraining Mr. Gogoi, Mr. Baghel and Mr. Singh, besides a prominent Assamese daily, from "making, publishing, circulating or disseminating any further defamatory statements or materials concerning the petitioner till their appearance in court".

Judge Sarma, in his order, stated that the court is of the opinion that if an order of 'ad-interim injunction' is not passed, it will "defeat the justice and there is every possibility of multiplicity of proceedings".

The court fixed the date of appearance of the defendants before it on March 9, 2026.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday (February 12, 2026), Advocate General Devajit Saikia said the CM's counsel argued that the details of all properties and assets belonging to him and his family have been filed in the affidavits of all the elections he has contested since 2001.

Besides, according to the rules of the State government, all Ministers, including the CM, and senior government officials have to declare their assets annually, and Mr. Sarma has been doing it regularly, Mr. Saikia said.