In a major breakthrough in the investigation into the death of singer Zubeen Garg, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) under Assam Police’s CID has recovered a crucial video that was deleted from arrested singer Amrit Prabha Mahanta’s mobile phone.
According to reports, the video was deleted at the instructions of Garg’s manager Siddharth Sharma and was originally stored on Mahanta’s phone and another individual’s device. The CID’s IT cell successfully retrieved the footage, which is now expected to provide vital leads in the ongoing probe. Investigators are currently analyzing the video to piece together new details surrounding Garg’s untimely demise.
The SIT is handling the case following over 60 FIRs lodged across Assam. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said investigators have identified a “definite angle” after receiving the viscera report. The second post-mortem was conducted at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) on September 23, following an initial autopsy in Singapore immediately after Garg’s death. The viscera sample was sent to the Central Forensic Laboratory (CFL) in Delhi for detailed analysis.
Sarma added that the Singapore Police had sought “vital information” regarding Garg’s death, which Assam authorities provided. Earlier, the Indian government invoked the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) with Singapore to facilitate cooperation in the investigation.
Seven individuals have been arrested in connection with the case, including North East India Festival (NEIF)chief organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, Garg’s manager Sharma, two band members Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and Mahanta, Garg’s cousin and Assam Police DSP Sandipan Garg, and personal security officers Nandeswar Bora and Prabin Baishya, after financial transactions exceeding Rs 1.1 crore were detected. All remain in police custody as the investigation continues.
Garg had traveled to Singapore to participate in the NEIF. During his stay, he attended a yacht party organised by a group of Assamese NRIs. While swimming in the sea during the event, Garg reportedly collapsed and was later declared dead at a hospital on September 19.
