Singapore-Based NRIs Respond to Summonses in Zubeen Garg Death Investigation

Three Singapore-based Assamese expatriates who witnessed cultural icon Zubeen Garg's final moments have appeared before police in Guwahati in response to a second notice, according to a senior official.

Additional Assamese NRIs residing in Singapore are expected to arrive within the next two days to provide their statements to Assam Police.

Jiolangsat Narzary, Parikshit Sharma, and Siddhartha Bora presented themselves at the CID headquarters Monday morning, while Bhaskar Jyoti Dutta was scheduled to arrive later in the day, as confirmed by CID Special DGP Munna Prasad Gupta to PTI.

"We have begun interrogating the three individuals and are currently awaiting the fourth person," he stated.

Authorities issued fresh summonses to 10 people connected with Assam Association Singapore after they failed to respond to the initial notice by the October 6 deadline.

Previously, only one Assamese expatriate from Singapore, Rupkamal Kalita, had appeared before the CID and underwent more than 24 hours of questioning before being released.

Regarding the six remaining individuals who have not responded to the notices, Gupta said, "We anticipate that several more people will appear before us within the next 48 hours."

The renowned singer died under mysterious circumstances in Singapore on September 19 while swimming in the sea. He had traveled to the Southeast Asian nation to participate in the 4th edition of the North East India Festival.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Assam Police is currently investigating Garg's death following the filing of more than 60 FIRs across the state.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma revealed on Sunday that investigators have discovered a "definite angle" in Zubeen Garg's death case after receiving the viscera report.

Following Garg's second post-mortem examination at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), viscera samples were sent to the Central Forensic Laboratory (CFL) in Delhi for comprehensive analysis.

The initial autopsy was performed in Singapore immediately after Garg's death. The second post-mortem was conducted at GMCH on September 23 before his body was taken for cremation.

The Chief Minister also mentioned that Singapore Police had requested some "vital information" regarding the singer's death, and the Assam government provided the necessary details to the authorities there.

The Indian government had previously invoked the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) with Singapore, seeking cooperation in investigating the singer's death in the Southeast Asian country.

Earlier, North East India Festival chief organizer Shyamkanu Mahanta, the singer's manager Siddharth Sharma, and two band members—Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and Amrit Prabha Mahanta—were detained.

Subsequently, Garg's cousin and Assam Police DSP Sandipan Garg was arrested in connection with the singer's death in Singapore last month.

Zubeen Garg's PSOs Nandeswar Bora and Prabin Baishya were also arrested after police discovered significant financial transactions exceeding Rs 1.1 crore from their accounts. All seven arrested individuals remain in police custody.