Guwahati, October 4: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday announced the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the death of cultural icon Zubeen Garg, who died under mysterious circumstances in Singapore on September 19. The commission will be headed by Justice Soumitra Saikia of the Guwahati High Court.
Garg had traveled to Singapore to perform at the fourth edition of the North East India Festival, organized by Shyamkanu Mahanta. The Assam Police CID is investigating the case, with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax Department expected to join inquiries into alleged financial crimes and acquisition of benami properties by Mahanta.
Over 60 FIRs have been lodged against Mahanta and several associates. Four individuals have already been arrested and sent to 14 days police remand. Recently, band members Shekharjyoti Goswami and Amritprabha Mahanta, who were present on the yacht when Garg died, were also remanded for 14 days. Manager Siddharth Sharma and festival organizer Mahanta are facing murder charges and are in CID custody, while other festival team members have been summoned for questioning.
Investigations have uncovered alleged financial irregularities dating back more than 20 years. While Mahanta was Assistant General Manager at the North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFi), loans totaling ₹14 crore were disbursed to DSS E-Connect Ltd, but the company failed to establish call centres or repay the loans. Documents, PAN cards, and other evidence were seized from Mahanta’s residence during raids.
The Assam government has provided post-mortem reports from Singapore and Gauhati Medical College to Garg’s wife, Garima, who recorded her statement and submitted related documents. She urged authorities to ensure swift justice, saying she wants clarity on the circumstances of her husband’s death.
Chief Minister Sarma appealed to the public and members of the Assam Association of Singapore to provide any information or videos related to Garg’s death for the commission’s inquiry.
