SINGAPORE: Investigations into the sudden death of popular Assamese singer Zubeen Garg have taken a new turn, with a Special Investigation Team (SIT) from Assam Police reaching Singapore to work with local authorities.
The two-member team, led by Special DGP (CID) Munna Prasad Gupta, reached in Singapore on Monday, October 20 and will hold discussions with the Singapore Police Force (SPF) on Tuesday. Their visit aims to gather more details about the circumstances surrounding Zubeen’s death which has deeply shocked fans across north-east India and beyond.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier announced that SIT Chief Munna Prasad Gupta would brief the media on the progress of the probe once the team returns from Singapore. The state government has maintained that it is going to uncover the truth behind the tragedy.
Back home, the investigation has already seen major developments. The SIT/CID team has arrested seven people in connection with the case.
Those arrested include event organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, Zubeen’s manager Siddharth Sharma, his cousin Sandipan Garg (a suspended Assam Police Service officer), bandmate Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, co-singer Amritprava Mahanta and two personal security officers, Nandeswar Bora and Paresh Baishya.
Following their arrest, the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court in Guwahati sent all seven accused to judicial custody. According to officials, five of them, Mahanta, Sharma, Sandipan, Bora, and Baishya are currently in Baksa district jail, while Goswami and Amritprava are in Haflong jail.
Sources close to the investigation said that the SIT is likely to submit a chargesheet by November this year. The authorities have been tight-lipped about the findings so far, citing the sensitivity of the case and the need for coordination with Singaporean officials.
Meanwhile the Singapore Police Force has also confirmed that its probe into Zubeen’s death is still ongoing. However, the SPF has stated that as of now, there is no sign of foul play. It also requested the public to avoid sharing unverified or speculative information on social media.
Zubeen Garg, one of the most celebrated voices from Assam, passed away in Singapore on September 19. Reports suggest that the singer drowned while swimming just a day before he was going to perform at the North-East India Festival. - The Statesman/ANN
