In a major development in the Zubeen Garg death case, the Assam Police CID’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Wednesday arrested Assam Police Service (APS) officer Sandipan Garg, a cousin of the late singer, in connection with the case.
According to officials, Sandipan Garg is currently posted as Deputy Superintendent of Police (Law and Order) in Kamrup district. The Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) of Kamrup (Metropolitan) has sent him to seven days of police custody.
Fifth Arrest in Zubeen Garg Death Probe
The 52-year-old singer, composer, and actor Zubeen Garg died under mysterious circumstances while swimming in the sea in Singapore on September 19. Garg had travelled there to attend the North East India Festival (NEIF).
This arrest marks the fifth in the case. The CID had earlier detained and later arrested:
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Shyamkanu Mahanta, organiser of NEIF
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Siddharth Sharma, Garg’s manager
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Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, bandmate
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Amritprava Mahanta, singer
All four are currently in CID custody as the probe continues.
Murder Charge Added to Case
Initially, the case was registered for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, criminal conspiracy, and death due to negligence. However, following interrogations and evidence analysis, the CID added murder charges to the FIR.
CID officials said that Sandipan Garg, who was present at the scene in Singapore, had been interrogated for four days before his arrest. “Since the investigation is ongoing, more details cannot be disclosed now,” said Special DGP (CID) M.P. Gupta, who heads the 10-member SIT.
Financial Irregularities Under Scanner
The CID also registered a separate case against Shyamkanu Mahanta after recovering several official seals and incriminating documents from his Guwahati residence. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax Department are expected to conduct raids on Mahanta’s office and home soon, officials confirmed.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recently said that central agencies are assisting the investigation to ensure a transparent and thorough probe into the singer’s death.
Family Seeks Justice
Zubeen Garg’s wife and sister have expressed faith in the investigation but have urged authorities to ensure truth and accountability. They have also returned the post-mortem report, asking for further clarity on the exact circumstances surrounding his death.
The investigation continues, with the CID working to uncover the full sequence of events leading to the tragedy that shocked millions of fans across the Northeast and beyond.
