Zubeen Garg Death Investigation: Two Band Members Remanded to Judicial Custody as Protests Erupt in Assam

They will be produced in court again within 14 days. (File)

Guwahati:

Two band members of renowned singer Zubeen Garg - Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and Amritprava Mahanta - were placed under judicial custody on Friday after completing their 14-day police remand in connection with the investigation into the singer's tragic death in Singapore last month.

Following their court appearance, the Kamrup Chief Judicial Magistrate ordered their judicial custody, after which they were transported away in separate police vehicles.

The court has scheduled their next appearance within 14 days.

Officials have not disclosed which correctional facility will house them, following violent demonstrations that erupted outside Baksa District Jail when the five other accused in this case were brought there on Wednesday after being remanded to judicial custody.

Both Goswami and Mahanta were arrested on October 3 following extensive questioning by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and subsequently placed in police custody for 14 days.

The SIT has arrested a total of seven individuals since October 1 in connection with this case, all of whom have now been remanded to judicial custody.

Zubeen Garg passed away on September 19 while swimming in the sea during his visit to Singapore.

North East India Festival (NEIF) chief organizer Shyamkanu Mahanta, the singer's manager Siddhartha Sharma, his cousin and police officer Sandipan Garg, along with personal security officers Nandeswar Bora and Prabin Baishya were all remanded to judicial custody on Wednesday by the Kamrup Chief Judicial Magistrate.

Due to safety concerns, the court had ruled that they should be housed in a facility with fewer inmates, resulting in their transfer to Baksa District Jail.

A large crowd gathered outside the jail protesting against the accused being brought to Baksa, with some demanding the accused be handed over to the public to ensure "justice for Zubeen."

Assam Police were forced to use lathi charge and tear gas to disperse the mob that attacked and set fire to several vehicles while throwing stones at the convoy transporting the five accused.

Authorities have imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of BNSS in Mushalpur town and areas surrounding the jail, while internet and mobile data services across the entire Baksa district have been suspended until further notice.

The unrest resulted in injuries to numerous individuals, including police personnel, media representatives, and local residents.

Previously, the Assam government had established a 10-member Special Investigation Team to investigate the circumstances surrounding Garg's death in Singapore.

Over 60 FIRs have been filed throughout the state against Mahanta, Sharma, and several others, prompting Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to direct the Director General of Police to transfer all FIRs to the Criminal Investigation Department and register a consolidated case for comprehensive investigation.