SC agrees to hear plea against Assam CM; Cong files police complaint over ‘point-blank shot’ video

The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday agreed to consider listing a plea by Left leaders seeking action against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over a controversial video that allegedly shows him aiming a rifle and firing at members of a particular community, even as the Assam Congress filed a police complaint against the BJP for circulating the clip.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and N. V. Anjaria took note of submissions made by counsel Nizam Pasha, appearing for leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Communist Party of India, and said it would consider listing the plea.

Seeking urgent intervention, the petitioners alleged that no FIR had been registered despite complaints over “disturbing speeches” and a recent video in which Sarma is purportedly depicted firing at members of a particular community. The bench remarked that election seasons often see part of the contest being fought in court, and said a date would be given after considering the listing.

The video in question was posted on the Assam BJP’s official X handle on 7 February and later deleted after widespread outrage. It allegedly shows Sarma taking aim with a rifle at two individuals—one wearing a skull cap and the other sporting a beard—with the caption “point-blank shot”.

Separate petitions filed by CPI(M) and CPI leader Annie Raja seek registration of FIRs against Sarma for alleged hate speech aimed at communal polarisation and the constitution of a court-monitored special investigation team (SIT), arguing that an independent probe could not be expected from State or central agencies. The pleas also cite a pattern of allegedly provocative statements.

Meanwhile, the Assam Congress on Tuesday lodged a police complaint against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party at Dispur Police Station in Guwahati for circulating the video. Congress MLAs Sibamoni Bora and Diganta Barman alleged that the clip symbolically depicted Sarma “firing at Muslims at point-blank range” and included overlaid phrases such as “foreigner free Assam” and “there is no forgiveness to Bangladeshis”.

The Congress said such language alluded to Bengal-origin Muslims in the State—often labelled as “Miyas” or “Bangladeshis”—and warned that the content was “highly provocative and communal”, with the potential to cause social disharmony.

Sarma has said he was unaware of the video posted by the Assam BJP unit. Reacting to complaints filed against him, he said that if any case had been registered, he was ready to face arrest, reiterating his opposition to what he described as Bangladeshi infiltrators.

The controversy has triggered reactions across parties and multiple legal moves, with courts now set to consider whether further action is warranted.

With inputs from PTI