Background
Akhil Gogoi is an Indian peasant leader, RTI activist, and MLA from Sibsagar, Assam, born to Boluram and Priyada Gogoi. He came to national attention after he was awarded the Shanmugam Manjunath Integrity Award in 2008 for his relentless fight against corruption.
Life and Activism
He attended Cotton College, Guwahati during 1993–1996, where he studied English literature. He served as the general secretary and magazine secretary of the college students union. Actively participated in India against corruption with Anna Hazare and peasant movement.
Circumstances of Arrest
Akhil Gogoi was first placed under preventive arrest on 12th December 2019. He was arrested based on two FIRs lodged with Chabua police station in Dibrugarh and Chandmari police station in Guwahati in connection with the December 2019 violence during the protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Later on, 14th December 2019, a fresh case was registered against him by the NIA. He got booked under the amended UAPA (Unlawful Assembly Prevention Act)
Charges and Allegations
The cases were filed under relevant sections of IPC and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act for alleged criminal conspiracy, sedition, promoting enmity between groups, assertions against national integrity, and support to CPI-Maoist.
Last update
Akhil Gogoi was freed from jail on 1st July, 2021 after not being found guilty in the second of two cases brought against him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, according to PTI.
He was imprisoned in December 2019 after being prosecuted in two distinct charges under the strict legislation in relation to demonstrations against the Citizenship Amendment Act in Assam.