Guwahati, Jan 2: The Assam government will transfer Rs 2.90 crore—the state Goods and Services Tax (GST) collected from late singer Zubeen Garg’s final film Roi Roi Binale—to the Kalaguru Foundation by January 2, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters during the New Year interaction titled ‘Natun Diner Alap’ (Conversations of a New Day), Sarma said the GST share from the film, which has grossed Rs 32 crore, will be handed over to the foundation established by Garg.
The film’s earnings mark a record for the Assamese film industry. The chief minister also announced that the state government will appoint a Special Public Prosecutor by January 12 in connection with the case related to Garg’s death.
“We are consulting a few senior criminal lawyers and expect to finalise the name by January 6,” Sarma said. He added that the government would request the Gauhati High Court to consider setting up a fast-track court for the trial, noting that the final decision rests with the judiciary.
Calling 2025 “a very sad year for all Assamese people,” Sarma said the death of Zubeen Garg and the developments that followed had deeply shocked the state.
Garg had travelled to Singapore to attend the North East India Festival and died under mysterious circumstances while swimming in the sea on September 19.
The Assam Police subsequently conducted an investigation and filed a chargesheet within three months.
The trial of the seven accused began last month at the Kamrup (Metro) District and Sessions Court. North East India Festival chief organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, Garg’s secretary Siddhartha Sharma, his cousin Sandipan Garg, and two personal security officers appeared in court from Baksa Jail.
Musician Shekharjyoti Goswami and singer Amritprava Mahanta joined the proceedings online from Haflong Jail.
According to the chargesheet filed on December 12, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has charged Mahanta, Sharma, Goswami and Amritprava with murder.
Sandipan Garg, a suspended Assam Police officer, has been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, while the two personal security officers face charges of criminal conspiracy and criminal breach of trust over the alleged misappropriation of entrusted funds or property.
The chief minister said the government is committed to ensuring that justice is delivered in the case.
