“Assam Did What Singapore Could Not”: Himanta on Zubeen Garg Death Case

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has asserted that the Assam Police have cracked the mysterious death case of celebrated Assamese artiste Zubeen Garg, claiming the state has achieved what even Singapore authorities failed to do.

Addressing the media on Friday, the Chief Minister said that two accused — Shyamkanu Mahanta and Siddharth Sharma — have been arrested in connection with the case and are now behind bars.

“Assam has performed better than the Singapore Police in cracking the mysterious death of Zubeen Garg. We have arrested Shyamkanu Mahanta and Siddharth Sharma. Assam has achieved what even Singapore could not, and I deserve appreciation from the opposition. I do not understand what they are trying to prove or what they are thinking,” Sarma said.

The Chief Minister has repeatedly stated, both publicly and on the floor of the Assam Assembly, that Zubeen Garg was murdered.

Congress Flags Contradiction: Singapore Says Natural Death

The Chief Minister’s remarks came a day after Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Gaurav Gogoi raised serious questions over what he described as contradictory positions taken by the Assam Government and the Government of Singapore regarding Zubeen Garg’s death.

Referring to information submitted by Singapore’s investigating authorities before a court there, Gogoi said the Singapore Government has officially stated that Zubeen Garg’s death was natural, even after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Assam Police visited Singapore, held discussions with local authorities, and collected documents.

“The biggest question now is — whom should the people of Assam believe? The Government of Singapore or Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma?” Gogoi asked.

He pointed out that while Singapore authorities concluded it was a natural death, the Chief Minister has consistently maintained that it was a case of murder.

“One government says natural death, the Chief Minister says murder. So who is lying? Who has failed to discharge responsibility — the Singapore Government or Himanta Biswa Sarma’s SIT?” Gogoi questioned.

Lack of Coordination Despite Official Engagement

Gogoi further questioned the lack of consistency between the two governments despite what he described as extensive coordination.

He cited multiple instances of communication and cooperation, including:

• Visits by Assam Police officials to Singapore

• Meetings with Singapore Police

• Execution of a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) through the Government of India

• Public tweets showing meetings between Assam Government representatives and the Singapore High Commissioner

• Social media posts by the Singapore Embassy related to Zubeen Garg

“Despite all this communication, why are the two governments saying completely opposite things?” Gogoi asked.

He alleged that had there been proper coordination, the statements would have aligned.

“Instead, the people of Assam have once again been pushed further away from truth and justice,” he said.

Allegations of Selective Investigation and Protection

Raising questions over the functioning of the SIT, Gogoi referred to Singapore authorities’ statement that 18 to 20 people were present with Zubeen Garg during his final moments.

However, he alleged that the SIT:

• Left out around 10 individuals

• Focused on only five people

“Why were the others left out? On what basis?” Gogoi asked.

Taking the allegation further, he questioned whether those excluded from the probe had close connections with the Chief Minister and his wife.

“Is the Chief Minister trying to protect someone?” Gogoi asked.

He also alleged that the chargesheet appeared to contain less factual evidence and more character assassination, raising doubts over its intent.

“Is this an attempt to protect someone and malign someone else?” he asked.

Justice Delayed, Public Faith at Risk

Gogoi warned that contradictions and delays in the case are damaging public confidence in the justice system.

“Today criminals are thinking — our job has become easy. We will come out under the open sky. We will come out after the elections,” he said.

Expressing concern, he questioned whether Zubeen Garg would receive justice under the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led government.

Despite reports of a 200–300 page chargesheet, Gogoi said the truth remains elusive.

“Even after so much time, the people of Assam and Zubeen Garg’s admirers are still far from justice and the real truth,” he said.

He reminded that the Chief Minister himself had initially declared, “Zubeen Garg was murdered.”

Therefore, Gogoi urged the Chief Minister to take responsibility and establish direct communication with Singapore authorities.

“This is our appeal. We want information, truth and justice,” he said.

Politicisation Allegation

Responding to media queries on whether the government was politicising Zubeen Garg’s death, Gogoi said the issue stemmed from contradictory positions taken by two governments.

“The two governments are saying different things,” he said, adding that while coordination was promised initially, the outcome has only created more confusion.

“We thought information would come from Singapore. Instead, more confusion has been created,” he added.

Court Hearing Today, Limited Progress Expected

Meanwhile, the third hearing in the Zubeen Garg death case is scheduled to take place on Saturday at the Kamrup Metropolitan Magistrate Court.

While the hearing is considered important, legal sources said significant progress is unlikely.

A newly appointed Public Prosecutor is expected to formally take charge shortly. The accused — Shyamkanu Mahanta and Siddharth Sharma — have sought copies of case documents, leading to procedural delays.

As a result:

• Charge hearing is unlikely tomorrow

• Bail hearings may be deferred

• The prosecution is expected to seek time to file written objections to bail pleas and other pending applications

Singapore Police Report Under Legal Lens

Serious questions have also been raised over whether the accused could benefit from the Singapore Police report if it remains unchallenged.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Dulu Ahmed, who had filed a formal complaint with the Singapore Police seeking a parallel probe into the death of Assamese singer Zubeen Garg told DY365 that objections must be formally placed before Singapore courts and that a reinvestigation should be sought if the findings are to be challenged.

He warned that failure on the part of the government to follow proper legal procedures could allow the accused to secure relief from the courts.

Ahmed also urged Zubeen Garg’s family to play a more proactive role.

“Only appealing to the government will not be enough,” he said.

What Lies Ahead

With conflicting claims by the Assam Government and Singapore authorities, and mounting political and legal pressure, the Zubeen Garg death case now stands at a crucial juncture.

It remains to be seen which direction the case will take — and whether truth and justice will ultimately prevail.

Also Read: “Who Is Himanta Biswa Sarma?” — Gaurav Gogoi Questions CM’s Authority Over ST Status, Zubeen Garg Death