GUWAHATI: The first day of the Budget Session of the 16th Assam Legislative Assembly witnessed a heated confrontation between Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pijush Hazarika and Raijor Dal MLA Akhil Gogoi during Question Hour over the alleged non-registration of FIRs by Assam Police.
ALSO READ: Power Crisis Triggers Congress Walkout on Opening Day of Assam Budget Session
The question was originally directed at Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who also holds the Home portfolio. In the Chief Minister's absence, Hazarika replied on behalf of the government. Sarma is currently in New Delhi and is expected to return on Tuesday morning.
The exchange began after Gogoi alleged that police stations were routinely recording complaints as General Diary (GD) entries without registering First Information Reports (FIRs). He claimed this practice was being used to suppress crime statistics and project a lower crime rate in official records.
Referring to the government's claim that crime in Assam had declined by 28 per cent due to police initiatives, Gogoi questioned the credibility of the figures.
"The police are deliberately avoiding FIR registration so that fewer cases are reflected in the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data. My questions regarding the number of GD entries and the FIRs registered against those complaints have not been answered," Gogoi said.
The Raijor Dal legislator had sought data on the number of GD entries recorded between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2026, the complaints subjected to preliminary inquiry, the number converted into FIRs, cases involving medical examination, and the annual gap between GD entries and FIR registrations.
Gogoi further alleged that both the Chief Minister and Hazarika were avoiding his questions, drawing strong protests from the treasury benches.
Responding sharply, Hazarika turned the focus on Gogoi's own legal record.
"According to police records, there are 32 cases registered against Akhil Gogoi in different police stations across Assam. Yet he claims all of them are false," the minister said.
Hazarika also accused the MLA of discrepancies in his election disclosures.
"Government records show that Gogoi has 32 cases registered against him. He admitted in the House that 165 cases are pending against him, but only 21 cases were disclosed in his election affidavit. Incorrect information was furnished, and we will pursue the matter legally," he added.
As the verbal duel escalated, Speaker Ranjeet Kumar Dass intervened and ordered that Gogoi's remarks suggesting the Chief Minister was deliberately avoiding questions be expunged from the Assembly proceedings.
"We withdraw those remarks from the records. The Chief Minister may remain absent from the House due to parliamentary or official engagements," the Speaker said.
Explaining the government's position, Hazarika said the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) permits police to conduct a preliminary inquiry into complaints that appear to be non-cognisable or malicious before registering an FIR.
"Many false complaints are filed to harass innocent people. Under the BNS, if the officer in charge believes a complaint is non-cognisable or malicious, prior approval from the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) is required before proceeding with a preliminary inquiry," he said.
The minister said such inquiries must be completed within 14 days of receiving the DSP's approval, after which an FIR is registered only if a cognisable offence is established.
Clarifying the distinction between GD entries and FIRs, Hazarika said every complaint received at a police station is recorded in the General Diary within 24 hours, but not every GD entry results in an FIR. He added that the entire process has now been digitised.
He also said complainants dissatisfied with police action can approach the Superintendent of Police or seek legal remedies through the courts.