India Invokes Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with Singapore to Investigate Assam Singer Zubeen Garg's Death

The Assam government has established a 10-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the death of popular singer Zubeen Garg in Singapore.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Tuesday that the Central Government has officially invoked the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) with Singapore, requesting cooperation in investigating Zubeen Garg's death in the Southeast Asian nation.

The Assam government had submitted a formal request to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday to activate the treaty with Singapore regarding the singer's tragic demise.

"The Ministry of Home Affairs has now formally invoked the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty in connection with the FIR lodged by Assam Police regarding the unfortunate demise of our beloved Zubeen," the Chief Minister stated on social media platform 'X'.

In an official communication, MHA's Under Secretary (Legal), Parveen Singh, instructed the First Secretary (Commerce) at the Indian High Commission in Singapore, T Prabhakar, to forward the original Mutual Legal Assistance request to Singapore's Attorney General, clearly outlining the requirements for legal assistance in the investigation registered with Assam police.

The letter further requested that any response or execution report received should be forwarded to the MHA for transmission to the investigating agency.

Chief Minister Sarma had explained on Monday that invoking the MLAT would ensure complete cooperation from Singaporean authorities, provide access to case details, and facilitate bringing back the accused to secure justice.

The 10-member Special Investigation Team formed by the Assam government is headed by Special DGP MP Gupta and is tasked with investigating Garg's drowning death in Singapore on September 19.

Two officers from Assam Police are already in Singapore seeking assistance from local authorities, according to Chief Minister Sarma.

The SIT has issued notices to several individuals who attended the North East India Festival (NEIF) in Singapore, requesting them to record their statements.

These notices have been served to NEIF Chief Organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, Garg's manager Siddharth Sharma, and members of the Singapore Assam Association, among others.

The Chief Minister had previously mentioned that an Interpol 'lookout notice' had been issued against Mahanta and Sharma, directing them to appear before the Criminal Investigation Department on October 6.

According to NEIF organizers, Zubeen Garg, who was their brand ambassador, arrived in Singapore on September 17 and was scheduled to perform on September 20.

The festival was subsequently canceled following Garg's death. The singer had joined members of the Assamese community in Singapore for a yacht trip and drowned while swimming in the sea.

More than 60 First Information Reports, including one filed by Garg's family, have been registered in connection with his death.