Assam: CID probe ordered into 'Tricolour cake'

The chief magistrate's court in Kamrup district, Assam, has directed the Criminal Investigation Department of the Assam police to conduct a probe into the allegation levelled against Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi and others for cutting and eating a cake painted in colours of the National Flag at a Republic Day tea party at Raj Bhavan in January.

The court directive was in response to a criminal case was filed against Gogoi, his wife Dolly Gogoi and senior government officials by senior advocate of Guwahati high court H R A Choudhury and the general secretary of the All Indian United Democratic Front, a political party with over a dozen minority organisations.

Choudhury filed the case against Gogoi and others for violating provisions of the Prevention of Violation and Insult to the National Honour Act, 1971, and Article 51 A of the Constitution, which enshrines the duties of the citizen to honour the National flag.

Opposition parties including the Asom Gaana Parishad and the Bharatiya Janata Party have flayed Gogoi for showing disrespect to the National flag.

Gogoi had already issued a statement tendering apology for cutting the cake and eating it without being aware that a side of the cake was painted in Tricolour.

A statement issued from Raj Bhawan stated that the cake was not painted in the colours of the National Flag, but it was the cardboard box kept in front of the cake that was painted like the Tricolour.