Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has claimed that popular singer Zubeen Garg was murdered in Singapore. This statement marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into Garg’s death.
Sarma announced that a charge sheet in the case is targeted for filing by December 8. The initial deadline had been set for December 17.
Zubeen Garg died on September 19 in Singapore following a scuba diving incident. He had been in the country to attend the fourth edition of the Northeast India Festival.
The Chief Minister explicitly told reporters, “I am not calling this an accident.” He did not, however, provide details or evidence to support his murder claim.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) operating under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Assam Police is currently probing the singer’s death.
Filing a charge sheet for an incident occurring abroad requires approval from India’s Ministry of Home Affairs.
Chief Minister Sarma met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to expedite this necessary clearance. The SIT is expected to formally request approval from the Ministry within the next three to four days.
Seven individuals have been arrested in connection with Garg’s death. These include Shyamkanu Mahanta, the chief organizer of the Northeast India Festival, and Siddharth Sharma, Garg’s manager.
Band members Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and Amrit Prabha Mahanta were also apprehended. Garg’s cousin, DSP Sandipan Garg of the Assam Police, was among those arrested.
Garg’s personal security officers, Nandeshwar Bora and Prabin Baishya, were arrested after police discovered significant financial transactions exceeding $130,000 USD (approximately 1.1 crore Indian rupees) in their accounts.
All seven arrested individuals are currently in judicial custody. They face charges under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including murder, culpable homicide, criminal conspiracy, and causing death by negligence.
Adding another layer to the case, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) is conducting its own independent investigation into Garg’s death.
In a statement issued on October 17, the SPF indicated that initial investigations found no indication of foul play.
The SPF’s investigation is anticipated to take up to three more months. Its findings will then be submitted to the state coroner for further proceedings.