Assam’s Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted under the Criminal Investigation Department, has submitted its chargesheet in the Zubeen Garg death case, marking a major development nearly three months since the celebrated singer’s demise in Singapore. Garg, 52, died on September 19 while swimming in the sea during a yacht outing in Singapore, where he had travelled to take part in the North East India Festival (NEIF).
The state government initiated a high-level investigation in response to an unprecedented public outcry, as more than 60 police complaints were filed across Assam seeking clarity on the circumstances surrounding the artist’s death. In addition to forming the SIT, the government also appointed a one-man inquiry commission headed by Justice Soumitra Saikia of the Gauhati High Court to independently examine the incident.
As the probe progressed, several individuals associated with the singer were arrested. These included NEIF organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, Zubeen’s manager Siddharth Sharma, band members Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and Amrit Prabha Mahanta, and the singer’s cousin, Sandipan Garg, who serves in the Assam Police. Investigators alleged that these individuals played significant roles linked to the events surrounding the musician’s death.
Subsequently, the singer’s two personal security officers, Nandeswar Bora and Prabin Baishya were also taken into custody. According to investigators, bank records revealed suspicious financial activity, with deposits amounting to over ₹1.1 crore found in accounts belonging to the two men, prompting further scrutiny into their involvement.
Initially, the CID registered the case under sections related to criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, and causing death through negligence under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. However, during the course of the investigation, Section 103(1), which pertains to murder, was added as new evidence emerged.
The SIT conducted an extensive investigation, questioning close to 300 witnesses, including those who were present during the singer’s stay in Singapore. The team also travelled to Singapore to collect additional evidence, interact with authorities there, and reconstruct events leading to Garg’s death during the yacht trip.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recently stated in the Assembly that the state police no longer view the death as an accident. He said that early investigative findings convinced the SIT that the case was not one of negligence or culpable homicide but a deliberate act of murder. According to him, at least one individual is believed to have directly caused Garg’s death while others allegedly aided the crime.
He further added that the SIT intended to produce a “watertight chargesheet” and hinted that the motive behind the crime would be startling once revealed. The chief minister’s remarks intensified public interest and anticipation around the outcome of the investigation.
Meanwhile, Singapore Police are conducting a parallel probe into the circumstances surrounding Garg’s death. Cooperation between both countries’ investigative agencies is ongoing to ensure that all angles are thoroughly examined.
With the submission of the chargesheet in Guwahati, the case is set to move into its next legal phase, as Assam awaits judicial proceedings over what has become one of the state’s most high-profile and emotionally charged investigations.
