Investigation intensifies as murder charges added against manager and event organizer of Zubeen Garg.
The investigation into the death of Assamese singer Zubeen Garg has taken a new turn with the Assam Special Investigation Team (SIT) adding murder charges against his manager, Siddhartha Sharma, and event organizer, Shyamkanu Mahanta. This development follows the tragic incident that occurred during a yacht trip in Singapore on September 19, just a day before Garg was slated to perform at the North East India Festival organized by the Indian government and the Indian High Commission, with backing from local associations.
On Wednesday, the Singapore Police Force confirmed that it had sent a copy of Garg’s autopsy report, along with preliminary findings, to the Indian High Commission. Reports indicate that the police had previously ruled out foul play in Garg’s death. The death certificate issued by Singaporean authorities on September 20 cited drowning as the cause of death.
Despite the official ruling, the aftermath of Garg’s passing saw the filing of over 50 first information reports against Sharma and Mahanta. In response to the growing concerns surrounding the case, the Assam police established a Special Investigation Team, which is under the leadership of Special Director General of Police MP Gupta. On the same day, both Sharma and Mahanta were arrested, and the investigation was further escalated with the addition of murder charges to the existing accusations, which included criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and causing death by negligence.
During the ongoing investigation, the Kamrup (Metro) chief judicial magistrate remanded Sharma and Mahanta to 14 days of police custody. Notably, both individuals expressed fears for their safety and had refrained from returning to Assam. They maintained on social media that they had no prior knowledge of Garg’s decision to take the yacht trip.
The situation has drawn attention from higher authorities, including Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who noted that Mahanta’s bank accounts were frozen amid ongoing inquiries into his potential involvement in organized financial crimes. In a bid to facilitate the investigation, Sarma mentioned that the Indian government had reached out to Singapore, requesting cooperation under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty. This treaty is designed to enable the exchange of evidence, documents, and investigative support between the two nations in criminal matters.
The investigation into Zubeen Garg’s untimely death has not only raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident but also the broader implications of accountability and safety in event management. As the case develops, it remains to be seen how these revelations will impact the music community and the public at large, who have rallied around the legacy of the beloved singer.
