Assam: ED may raid Shyamkanu Mahanta and Siddhartha Sharma over alleged unaccounted assets

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is reportedly preparing to conduct raids on the residences of Shyamkanu Mahanta and Siddhartha Sharma, the two key accused in the death of Assam's heartthrob Zubeen Garg, amid allegations of possessing disproportionate and benami properties.

Sources indicate that operations targeting their named and unnamed assets could commence today, focusing on financial irregularities linked to the case.

ED officials have reportedly obtained detailed information on the properties held by Mahanta, the organiser of the North East India Festival, and Sharma, Garg's former manager.

The raids stem from complaints of vast unaccounted wealth, with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Assam's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) sharing crucial data with the ED to facilitate the probe.

In a related development, the ED is expected to interrogate Mahanta at the CID office in Guwahati, Assam, where he is currently under custody. This follows the arrests of Mahanta and Sharma earlier this month on charges including culpable homicide, criminal conspiracy, and negligence in connection with Garg's drowning on September 19, 2025, during a yacht party in Singapore.

The financial angle has gained prominence after the SIT uncovered suspicious transactions, including Rs 1 crore in the accounts of Garg's personal security officers.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier announced that a judicial commission will investigate Garg's death, with the ED and Income Tax Department joining the Assam Police to scrutinise organised financial crimes and benami asset acquisitions, particularly those allegedly tied to Mahanta.

Further details on the raids are awaited as the ED escalates its involvement.