Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday, November 3, categorically declared the October 19 death of music legend Zubeen Garg as murder, not a mere mishap, and announced that the state’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) is targeting mid-December for filing the formal chargesheet.
“I will not call Zubeen Garg’s death a mishap today,” the CM told reporters, adding that the SIT must submit the chargesheet by December 17, with a target date of December 8. “We are ready from all directions. Since the incident happened abroad, before submitting the chargesheet, we need the Home Ministry’s approval… I apprised Union Home Minister Amit Shah to expedite it.”
The SIT is investigating the case under multiple sections, including criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide not amounting to murder and causing death by negligence, with the additional murder charges slapped on after preliminary findings. Five individuals have already been arrested, including Garg’s manager, a festival organiser, two band members, and his cousin. Additionally, two of his personal security officers have been arrested on anti-corruption grounds.
Zubeen Garg, aged 52, died in Singapore on September 19 during a yacht outing and swimming excursion prior to the Northeast India Festival. Singapore’s police, under the Coroners Act, have stated the investigation may take over two months and have not yet found evidence of foul play.
On the proposed memorial site for Garg – dubbed ‘Zubeen Khetra’ – the CM clarified that the government-allotted land is secured and development will follow established memorial models. He emphasised that matters regarding adjacent private land holdings lie outside government responsibility.
With the formal chargesheet deadline looming, the investigation has entered a critical phase. The next few weeks will determine if the SIT meets its December timeline and whether the state can convincingly establish the case as murder, as declared by the Chief Minister.
