Zubeen Garg, 52, died on September 19 when he was in Singapore for the Northeast India Festival. He had lost consciousness while swimming during an outing on a yacht and was declared dead in Singapore General Hospital.
In a major development in the Garg death case, the SIT has uncovered that two unidentified individuals were given access to the singer’s hotel room before his death. So far, four people have been arrested including Zubeen’s manager, a co-musician, a co-singer, and the festival organizer.
A development that could push forward the ongoing investigation into the mysterious death of beloved Assamese singer and cultural icon Zubeen Garg, Rup Kamal Kalita, a member of the Assam Association in Singapore, is set to arrive in Guwahati on Tuesday to cooperate with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Assam Police.
The Chief Minister acknowledged that while several other Assamese nationals currently based in Singapore were also under the SIT’s radar, many were hesitant to travel to India. “Some have said that the Singapore police have restricted them, others fear losing their jobs if they return.
The investigation, is being conducted in close coordination with Singapore authorities through the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) between the two countries. “Our team is not required to go to Singapore. Under MLAT, Singapore Police will collect the necessary evidence and share it with us. No country allows foreign police to investigate on its soil—that would violate sovereignty,” Sarma clarified.
His bandmate Partha Pratim Goswami has accused Siddharth Sharma, Garg’s manager, and fellow bandmate Shekhar Jyoti Goswami of negligence and carelessness. He criticized them for allowing someone who did not get any sleep, to go swimming in the sea despite knowing that Zubeen Garg was a seizure patient. According to Partha Pratim Goswami, Siddharth and Shekhar prevented Garg from resting and took him to the sea for their own enjoyment, a decision he described as a reckless mistake he will never forgive.
However, authorities have consistently claimed that these claims remain unverified until further evidence can confirm them.
“Witnesses can say anything in their statements. The police’s role is to record them. The investigation will determine whether an accused is defending themselves or trying to mislead the probe,” Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Saturday.
Officials confirmed that the cause of death will largely depend on the viscera report, which is anticipated to be released on October 10. Were clearer answers will be produced by October 11,” Sarma added.