‘Rain in Singapore, Umbrella in Dispur’: Akhil Gogoi Tears Into Govt on Zubeen Death Case

In a sharply worded Facebook post, Sibsagar MLA Akhil Gogoi launched a scathing attack on the Assam government on Wednesday over what he termed the “botched and misleading” investigation into the death of music icon Zubeen Garg.

Gogoi alleged that the inquiry has been reduced to “a farce” and demanded that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma present concrete evidence to support his repeated claims that the death was a “murder.”

Two months after the singer passed away in Singapore on September 19, Gogoi said the people of Assam still had no clarity about the circumstances surrounding his demise. “Was it an accident? Was it murder? What exactly happened in Singapore that day?” he questioned, urging the government to come clean and present the truth to the public.

Gogoi criticised the government for interrogating individuals in Assam—including a shopkeeper and members of a Bihu committee—while failing to question those directly linked to the North East Festival in Singapore, where Zubeen was scheduled to perform before his death. He pointed out that the event’s chief organiser, the co-organisers, Union MoS for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita, the Indian High Commissioner to Singapore, the ship’s captain, and the crew had not been brought under the ambit of investigation.

“It is raining in Singapore, but they are opening umbrellas in Dispur,” Gogoi said, questioning why neither the Investigating Officer nor the Chief Investigating Officer had visited the ship from which Zubeen allegedly fell. “Has any murder or mysterious death in the world ever been solved without visiting the place of occurrence?”

He also alleged that the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which the government claims is handling the case, has no publicly notified gazette order and has carried out its inquiry entirely from Guwahati.

Targeting Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma directly, Gogoi said the CM was quick to use Zubeen’s songs for political narratives but had failed to uphold the singer’s ideology of humanity and socialism. He also accused the Chief Minister of claiming to know personal details of private individuals while being unable to clarify the circumstances of the state’s most beloved artist’s death.

Earlier, on the opening day of the winter assembly session, the MLA had posed three pointed questions to the Chief Minister, demanding clear answers on the floor of the House:

1. What evidence does the CM possess to declare the case as “murder,” when the Singapore Police Force has clearly stated there was no foul play?

2. If the CM maintains it was a homicide, what proof, chain of circumstances, or motive supports the claim?

3. What communication has taken place between the Government of India and Singapore regarding the probe, and can the related documents be tabled in the Assembly?

Gogoi also questioned why Union Minister Pabitra Margherita, who describes himself as a close friend of Zubeen, had not spoken to the Prime Minister to ensure a transparent, CBI-led investigation.

Declaring his distrust in the current probe, Gogoi said, “Justice will not be delivered to Zubeen Garg or to the people of Assam under this investigation. We will not remain silent until the truth comes out.” He concluded with an emotional appeal:
“Joi Zubeen Garg. Joi Aai Asom.”

Also Read: AI Video Sparks Political Row Amid Assembly Debate on Zubeen Garg’s Death