A Kamrup (Metro) court in Guwahati has restrained Congress leaders Gaurav Gogoi, Bhupesh Bhagal and others from making defamatory statements against Assam Chief Minster Himanta Biswa Sarma in connection with the alleged ownership of land by him and his family members.

Civil Judge (Senior Judge) Nayan Jyoti Sarma passed the order on a suit filed by the Chief Minister against three Congress leaders and two local newspapers.

"The Court is of the considered opinion that if an order of ad-interim injunction is not passed as prayed for, it will defeat the justice and there is every possibility of creation of multiplicity of proceedings," the judge said.

The Court also issued a show-cause notice to the Congress leaders asking them why the ad-interim injunction should not be made absolute. The matter will be heard next on March 09.

Chief Minister Sarma in his suit said that newspapers reports were published following the Congress leaders' recent press conference in which it was alleged that the Assam Chief Minister purchased a large amount of land in the name of his wife and family members.

Such remarks are extremely defamatory, the Court was told. It was also submitted that the newspapers published the reports without following the principles of natural justice.

Sarma has sought ₹500 crore in damages from the Congress leaders "for making false, malicious and defamatory" allegations against him in the press conference, as per a recent post made by the Chief Minister on X.