GUWAHATI – In a significant development, Guwahati Police arrested controversial writer Sikha Sarma on Monday following an outcry over her social media posts targeting the legacy of the late legendary singer Zubeen Garg.
Sarma was apprehended at her residence in the Pathar Quarry area of the city. The arrest comes on the heels of a formal complaint lodged by Garima Saikia Garg, the wife of the late icon, who alleged that Sarma’s recent online activity was both defamatory and emotionally distressing.
Legal Action and Charges
Acting on the complaint, police have registered a case against Sarma under several sections of the law. The charges reportedly include:
- Sections 152, 196, 299, 351, 352, 353, and 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
- The allegations focus on the damage caused to the reputation and legacy of Zubeen Garg.
- The Zubeen Garg Fan Club has also reportedly filed a separate FIR at the Dispur Police Station, intensifying the legal pressure on the writer.
In her social media posts, Sarma reportedly questioned the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death and controversially advocated for the release of an accused individual linked to the case.
A History of Controversy
This is not the first time Sikha Sarma has found herself in the crosshairs of the law. In 2021, she sparked nationwide outrage following a Facebook post regarding security personnel martyred in a Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh.
Sarma has consistently maintained that her words are misinterpreted, claiming she has been a victim of mental harassment and that previous threats against her were never properly investigated by the authorities.
Following the arrest, Garima Saikia Garg took to social media to express her gratitude to the Assam Police, using the hashtag #JusticeForZubeenGarg.
The sentiment was echoed by many locals in Guwahati, who argued that such arrests are necessary to curb the spread of defamatory content on social media. “People who disrespect icons and hurt the sentiments of the public must face the consequences,” a local resident remarked.
As of Monday evening, Sarma remains in police custody as investigations continue.
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