Guwahati – The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Assam Police has made its first arrest in the high-profile case surrounding the death of legendary singer Zubeen Garg. Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, the singer’s long-time drummer, was arrested from his residence in Jalukbari, near Guwahati.
The arrest comes as the SIT, formed by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, intensifies its investigation into the circumstances of Zubeen Garg’s death in Singapore. The singer, a cultural icon in Assam, passed away on a Friday while swimming in the sea, a tragic event that has since been shrouded in controversy and led to widespread public outcry.
According to a statement by Chief Minister Sarma, Zubeen was swimming without a life jacket when he was rescued by Singapore police and rushed to a hospital. However, he could not be saved and was declared deceased. He was 53.
Following Zubeen’s cremation with full state honors and a four-day period of mourning, the investigation officially began with the consolidation of 55 First Information Reports (FIRs) filed across Assam. These FIRs, alleging a possible conspiracy and negligence, have been lodged against several individuals who were with the singer in Singapore.
Besides Goswami, the FIRs name North East India Festival organizer Shyamkanu Mahanta, the singer’s manager Sidharth Sharma, and businessman Sanjive Naraine. The complaints allege criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and causing death by negligence.
While Goswami has been taken into custody for questioning, reports indicate that Shyamkanu Mahanta, the festival organizer, is also under scrutiny. The Chief Minister has publicly announced that Mahanta and any organization associated with him have been blacklisted from receiving government support or sponsorship for future events in Assam.
A second autopsy of Zubeen Garg was conducted in Guwahati to address public demands for a thorough investigation and to eliminate any suspicion of foul play. Viscera samples from the singer have also been sent to the Central Forensic Laboratory in Delhi for detailed examination. The Assam government has also stated that a police team will travel to Singapore to gather additional information and evidence related to the case.
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