SIT Questions Musician in Zubeen Garg’s Death Investigation

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Assam police has detained musician Shekhar Jyoti Goswami for questioning in connection with the sudden death of renowned Assamese singer Zubeen Garg. The inquiry follows allegations of negligence against several individuals involved in a yacht trip with Garg, who was reported to have drowned. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma indicated that should the SIT fail to produce timely results, the case may be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

On Thursday, the SIT confirmed that Goswami, who participated in the yacht trip, was taken into custody. Other individuals implicated include Shyamkanu Mahanta, the organizer of a Northeast festival, and Siddharth Sharma, Garg’s manager. Multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) have been filed against these individuals, alleging their responsibility for negligence leading to Garg’s death. The death certificate issued by Singapore authorities cited “drowning” as the cause.

Tensions escalated in Guwahati when an angry mob attempted to breach Sharma’s residence. The SIT also visited the homes of Mahanta and Sharma in search of further evidence. Chief Minister Sarma emphasized the need for patience, stating, “We all are admirers of Zubeen. If the SIT fails at any point, we will not hesitate to hand over the case to the CBI. But for now, we must give the SIT time and full cooperation.”

He assured the public that vital information would emerge in the coming weeks. “In the next 15 days, many unanswered questions will be answered. Everyone present on the yacht will be questioned,” Sarma noted. He also mentioned that a second post-mortem was conducted in Assam after demands from the public, despite an initial examination in Singapore. This new post-mortem was executed by a team of four expert doctors from Gauhati Medical College Hospital, Pragjyotishpur Medical College, and AIIMS-Guwahati.

Sarma expressed concern over individuals leveraging Garg’s fame for personal gain. “For years, I suspected that certain individuals were using Zubeen for personal benefits. I had warned him about this circle around him, both privately and publicly. Unfortunately, it may have been too late,” he stated. The Chief Minister urged fans of Garg to refrain from spreading rumors or unverified information during this sensitive time.

As the investigation unfolds, authorities are committed to uncovering the circumstances surrounding Zubeen Garg’s untimely death, which has left a significant impact on the music community and his fans across Assam and beyond.