Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma claims Zubeen Garg's death a murder, chargesheet by Dec 8

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has reiterated his assertion that the death of iconic Assamese singer Zubeen Garg was a premeditated murder, dismissing earlier notions of it being a tragic accident.

Addressing reporters this afternoon, CM Sarma said that investigative officials are treating the case as a murder.

He revealed plans to submit the chargesheet by December 8, while the police are supposed to file it by December 17. "We are fully equipped to meet this deadline," he stated.

The announcement follows Sarma's meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah yesterday, aimed at expediting necessary approvals. "For incidents occurring overseas, clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs is mandatory before filing the chargesheet," Sarma told reporters.

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"The Special Investigation Team (SIT) will formally request this within the next three to four days. If required, we can finalise and submit the document in just seven to nine days", he added.

Zubeen Garg, aged 52, drowned in Singapore's waters on September 19, 2025, during his visit to the nation to participate in the North East India Festival.

Official reports from Singapore cited drowning as the cause, noting the absence of a life jacket while he was swimming. However, widespread suspicions of foul play among fans prompted a thorough probe back home.

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In response, the Assam government formed a nine-member SIT under the Crime Investigation Department (CID), headed by Special Director General of Police Munna Prasad Gupta, on September 24. Over 60 FIRs lodged across the state at Dispur Police Station were merged into Case No. 18/2025.

The case invokes stringent provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 103 for murder (incorporated subsequently), Section 61(2) for criminal conspiracy, Section 105 for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and Section 106(1) for causing death by negligence.

Police have arrested seven individuals so far: festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, Garg's manager Siddharth Sharma, his cousin and suspended DSP Sandipan Garg, band members Shekharjyoti Goswami and Amritprabha Mahanta, as well as personal security officers Nandeswar Bora and Prabin Baishya. All suspects remain in judicial custody, with remand extensions approved amid intense public scrutiny. Two band members are detained in Haflong jail, while the other five are held in Baksa jail.

Parallel investigations by the Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax Department are examining potential financial misconduct linked to Mahanta's company, Trend MMS.

To ensure transparency, the state established a one-member judicial commission on October 3, led by Gauhati High Court Justice Soumitra Saikia. This was later expanded to five members on October 16, becoming the first such inquiry panel chaired by an active judge.