Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Claims Singer Zubeen Garg Was Murdered in Singapore; SIT Asked to File Chargesheet by December 8
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has stirred a major controversy by claiming that the state’s celebrated singer and cultural icon, Zubeen Garg, was murdered in Singapore. Garg had died under mysterious circumstances on September 19 while swimming in the sea during his visit to Singapore to attend the fourth edition of the North East India Festival (NEIF). “I do not consider this incident an accident,” the Chief Minister said, directing officials to prepare the chargesheet by December 8, ahead of the scheduled deadline of December 17.
Following Garg’s death, over 60 FIRs were filed across Assam, prompting the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to probe the case. The Chief Minister said that since the incident occurred abroad, permission from the Union Home Ministry is necessary before filing the chargesheet. Sarma added that he had already met Home Minister Amit Shah to expedite the process and ensure approval is granted swiftly.
The Chief Minister also clarified that the Assam government did not provide financial assistance to the NEIF. So far, seven people have been arrested, including NEIF’s main organizer Shyamkanu Mahanta, Garg’s manager Siddharth Sharma, two band members, and the singer’s cousin Sandipan Garg, who is also a DSP in the Assam Police. Two of Zubeen’s personal security officers, Nandeshwar Bora and Prabin Baishya, were also arrested after investigators discovered suspicious ₹11 million transactions from the singer’s bank accounts. All accused are currently in judicial custody.
Meanwhile, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) continues to conduct an independent investigation. In its preliminary report issued on October 17, the SPF stated that no evidence of foul play was found in Garg’s drowning. However, the Assam government maintains that the death was not accidental, with CM Sarma asserting that the state’s SIT has “enough grounds” to treat the case as a murder investigation.
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