Assam Police SIT Files Chargesheet in Singer Zubeen Garg's Death Investigation

Guwahati:

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Assam Police has submitted a chargesheet in a Guwahati court on Friday regarding the death of singer Zubeen Garg. The renowned 52-year-old Assamese singer-composer died while swimming in the sea during a yacht trip in Singapore on September 19.

Garg was in Singapore to participate in the North East India Festival (NEIF).

Following the incident, the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led government established the SIT after more than 60 cases were filed across Assam. Additionally, a one-man inquiry commission headed by Gauhati High Court's sitting judge, Justice Soumitra Saikia, was formed to investigate the circumstances surrounding Garg's death.

In subsequent developments, several individuals were arrested for their alleged involvement in the musician's death. These include NEIF organizer Shyamkanu Mahanta, Garg's manager Siddharth Sharma, band members Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and Amrit Prabha Mahanta, and Garg's cousin Sandipan Garg, who serves as a senior Assam police officer.

Authorities also arrested Garg's personal security officers, Nandeswar Bora and Prabin Baishya, after discovering substantial financial transactions exceeding Rs 1.1 crore from their accounts.

The CID initially registered a case under Sections 61 (criminal conspiracy), 105 (culpable homicide) and 106 (causing death by negligence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and later incorporated Section 103(1) (murder).

The extensive investigation involved questioning nearly 300 witnesses. The SIT team also conducted investigations in Singapore.

Last month, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that Garg's death was not an "accident" but a "murder."

"After a preliminary probe, the Assam Police was sure that it was not a case of culpable homicide, but it was a plain and simple murder," he declared while addressing the Assam Assembly on November 25.

"One of the accused killed Garg, and others helped him. Four to five people are being booked in the murder case," he added.

Sarma mentioned that the SIT would file a "watertight chargesheet, and the motive behind the crime will shock the people of the state."

Meanwhile, the Singapore Police Force is conducting its own independent investigation into Garg's death.