NEW DELHI: On Thursday (April 9), amid the buzz of the Assam Assembly Elections, Garima Saikia quietly stepped out to vote, but this time, she walked in without Zubeen Garg, the man who had always been by her side.
Still recovering and visibly subdued, Garima said this was her first vote without her husband, and that alone made the day heavy. Yet she chose to show up.
“It is our duty,” she reminded everyone, even as she admitted she had been discharged from hospital just a day earlier.
First vote without Zubeen, despite health scare Garima Saikia cast her ballot in the Dispur constituency in Guwahati.
She was accompanied by her sister-in-law, Palme Borthakur, who stayed close as media gathered around.
Garima had recently been hospitalised after her health suddenly deteriorated, with sources saying she was dealing with blood pressure-related issues.
She was rushed for medical attention and discharged only the day before polling.
Speaking to reporters outside the polling booth, she recalled how she always used to vote with her husband earlier.
This time, she said, she came even though she was not physically well because she believed voting was a responsibility.
She also urged citizens to participate in the democratic process, stressing that everyone should exercise their right to vote.
“We are still fighting for justice.”
Garima also spoke about her ongoing fight for justice in her husband’s death case.
She said the family continues to hope for a result soon and that they remain optimistic about justice being delivered quickly.
Her statement once again brought attention to the investigation that followed the singer’s death.
A Special Investigation Team of Assam Police’s CID had looked into the case and filed a chargesheet in December 2025. The matter is now under a fast-track court and is awaiting hearing.
The tragedy that shook Assam
The singer passed away on Sept 19, 2025, in Singapore during a swimming incident in the sea near Lazarus Island.
He had travelled there to perform at the North East India Festival, which was organised to mark 60 years of diplomatic relations between India and Singapore.
The event was cancelled after news of his death emerged. He was 52 at the time.
Later, Singapore’s state coroner ruled out foul play and concluded that the death was accidental drowning.
The findings stated that he was severely intoxicated, with blood alcohol levels more than four times the legal limit.
The coroner also noted that alcohol had been consumed in the days leading up to the incident as well as on the day of the tragedy. - The Statesman/ANN
