Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has raised concerns about the credibility of documents presented by the Congress party, which allege misconduct involving his wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma. He has introduced the notion of a “Pakistan angle” to the opposition’s accusations.

During a press conference on Sunday, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera displayed what he claimed were images of three passports belonging to Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, issued by the United Arab Emirates, Antigua & Barbuda, and Egypt. He also provided documentation that he asserted indicated properties registered in her name in the UAE and a business entity established in Wyoming, USA, which he contended were omitted from Sarma’s official disclosures.

In response, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma lodged a complaint with Assam’s Crime Branch late Sunday, asserting that the images in question are the result of artificial intelligence generation and photo manipulation.

Before embarking on his campaign activities on Monday, CM Sarma reiterated his stance that the opposition’s claims are unfounded and politically driven. He held a press briefing where he detailed his team’s findings, which included a reverse Google search of the ID number on the alleged UAE document. This search revealed that the original document belonged to an Egyptian national, whose information was circulated in a Facebook group based in Pakistan as a lost item.

Sarma further asserted that a similar investigation into the MRZ code on the supposed Egyptian passport indicated that it actually belonged to another individual. He noted inconsistencies in the documents, such as a discrepancy in the year of birth and the birthplace being incorrectly listed as “Indian.” He alleged that the images had been tampered with.

The Chief Minister disclosed that the Indian government has reached out to the authorities in the three countries for verification. He stated that both the UAE and Antigua & Barbuda have confirmed that the documents are not authentic, while the Egyptian government has yet to provide a response.

Sarma also refuted the Congress’s claim regarding the establishment of a limited liability company (LLC) in Wyoming, asserting that a company named ‘Hrinikinandi LLC’ was registered just two days prior to the Congress press briefing, and another company with a similar name was registered shortly afterward.

He expressed disbelief over the lengths to which the opposition, particularly the son of former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, would go in this matter, declaring that such conspiracies would ultimately be unsuccessful. Sarma warned that disseminating false information to sway electoral outcomes is a serious offense that could lead to severe legal consequences.

In a response to these developments, Assam Congress President Gaurav Gogoi posed several questions for CM Sarma, including whether Riniki Bhuyan Sharma holds a Golden visa for Dubai, if it is issued on an Indian passport, and whether any of Sarma’s family members own property or run businesses abroad. He emphasized that an investigation will be conducted, and justice will prevail for those found guilty.

Sukrita Baruah serves as a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express in Guwahati, focusing on the intricate dynamics of India’s North East region, which is marked by its diverse ethnic landscape and complex geopolitical context.

Her reporting expertise encompasses:

• Ethnic & Social Dynamics: In-depth coverage of regional disputes and peace initiatives.
• Border & Geopolitics: Monitoring developments along India’s international borders and their implications for local populations.
• Governance & Policy: Reporting on state elections, tribal council decisions, and the execution of central government schemes in the North East.

Baruah has a specialized educational background and previously worked as an Education Correspondent in Delhi, where she developed a keen analytical perspective on:

• Policy Analysis: Assessing the National Education Policy (NEP) and reforms at the university level.
• Student Affairs: Covering significant stories related to campus politics, national entrance examinations, and challenges in the education sector.

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