Assam's SIT Files Significant Chargesheet in Zubeen Garg's Death Case

Post by : Mara Rahim

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) from Assam Police has officially filed a chargesheet in a Guwahati court concerning the tragic death of renowned singer Zubeen Garg. The 52-year-old artist passed away on September 19 while swimming during a yacht excursion in Singapore, intended for the North East India Festival.

In response to over 60 cases lodged across the state, the government, led by Himanta Biswa Sarma, constituted the SIT and appointed a one-man inquiry commission spearheaded by Justice Soumitra Saikia from the Gauhati High Court. The investigation resulted in multiple arrests, including festival organizer Shyamkanu Mahanta, Garg's manager Siddharth Sharma, two members of his band, and the singer’s cousin Sandipan Garg, who is a senior police officer in Assam.

Further arrests included Garg’s two personal security officers after investigators noticed bank transactions exceeding Rs 1.1 crore in their accounts. Initially categorized under sections related to criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, and negligence, the case has now evolved to include murder charges as stipulated in Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

The SIT interviewed roughly 300 witnesses and even traveled to Singapore as part of their thorough investigation. Last month, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma asserted that Zubeen Garg's death was not an accidental occurrence but rather a deliberate murder, indicating that one individual executed the act while others facilitated it. He assured the public that a comprehensive chargesheet would disclose a motive likely to astonish the citizens of Assam.

In parallel, the Singapore Police are conducting their independent investigation into the incident. The case continues to command widespread public interest as fans and local citizens seek clarity on the circumstances surrounding the singer's untimely death.