Will the SIT’s Findings Confirm CM Sarma’s Claim of a ‘Premeditated Murder’?

The investigation into the alleged murder of renowned Assamese singer Zubeen Garg is approaching a decisive phase, with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Assam CID preparing to submit a voluminous chargesheet on December 8.

Officials close to the probe say the document is expected to run into several thousand pages, combining witness statements, forensic reports, financial records and crucial cross-border evidence obtained from Singapore authorities.

According to SIT sources, investigators have so far recorded statements from more than 200 individuals, including Zubeen’s close associates, cultural event organisers and persons linked to the singer’s financial dealings. Over 50 Bihu committees—many with long-standing professional connections to Zubeen—have also been questioned. On Tuesday, the SIT examined the Purbanchal Bihu Committee in Dibrugarh, continuing its efforts to map every organisational and financial link surrounding the artist.

A significant component of the probe has focused on alleged financial crimes involving key accused Siddharth Sharma and Shyamkanu Mahanta. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is conducting a parallel inquiry into suspected financial irregularities connected to the duo, broadening the scope of the case far beyond its initial contours.

The investigation took a critical turn after statements from individuals close to Zubeen suggested a long-term conspiracy behind his death. These findings align with earlier remarks made in the Assam Legislative Assembly, where Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had indicated that a group of four to five individuals may have plotted against the singer since the Covid period.

One of the most pivotal segments of the inquiry unfolded outside India. With cooperation from Singapore Police, the SIT reconstructed Zubeen’s movements during his stay in Singapore, identifying locations he visited and the people he met. The statements of 10 Assamese expatriates living in Singapore were recorded before a local court, forming a vital part of the international evidence trail.

Based on this material, the SIT invoked Section 208 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)—a provision that permits Indian courts to hear cases involving offences committed abroad, subject to approval from the central government. Officials confirmed that the Centre has already granted this approval.

Forensic analysis has also played an essential role. Mobile phones belonging to Zubeen and the accused, along with several bags and personal items used by the singer, were sent to forensic laboratories in Delhi for examination. The chargesheet will additionally include the post-mortem reports from both Singapore and Guwahati, offering a comprehensive medical picture of the circumstances leading to Zubeen’s death.

Currently, the key accused—Siddhartha, Shyamkanu, and Sandipan—are lodged at Baksa District Jail, while Shekharjyoti Goswami and Amritprabha Mahanta remain in Haflong Sub-Jail. In a related financial case, Zubeen’s former bodyguards, Nandeswar Bora and Paresh Baishya, continue under judicial custody in Baksa.

Sources say the upcoming chargesheet is expected to detail not only the findings of the homicide investigation but also the alleged exploitation, manipulation and financial pressures Zubeen faced from individuals within his circle.

The document is likely to include communication records, financial trails, witness testimonies and forensic results that investigators believe piece together the chain of events before his death.

Amid intensifying scrutiny, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma earlier reiterated his stand that Zubeen’s death was not accidental, but a premeditated murder. “Investigating officials are treating it as a murder case,” Sarma told reporters. He confirmed that the SIT plans to submit the chargesheet by December 8, while the police’s statutory deadline extends to December 17. “We are fully equipped to meet this deadline,” he added.

As the date approaches, the December 8 chargesheet is expected to be a defining moment in one of the most high-profile and emotionally charged cases Assam has witnessed in recent years.

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