Guwahati, Feb. 6 -- Supreme Court lawyer and activist Upamanyu Hazarika has dismissed the criminal defamation case filed against him and six others by Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, calling it legally untenable and an attempt to silence dissent.

The defamation case follows allegations made by Hazarika at a press conference on January 24 in Guwahati, where he claimed that the proposed diversion of National Highway 715 (NH-715) from Kaliabor-Tiniali-bypassing Kuwaritol, Hatbor, and Jakhalabandha-would primarily benefit Pride East Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., a media company owned by Riniki Bhuyan Sarma.

In response to reports about the case, Hazarika issued a statement clarifying his stance. "I have not...