By
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the death of Assam’s cultural icon Zubeen Garg has filed a chargesheet in a Guwahati court, naming several individuals, including the singer’s cousin, Sandipan Garg. Sandipan, who accompanied Zubeen on his Singapore trip for an event, has been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Others named in the chargesheet for murder include festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, Zubeen’s manager Siddartha Sarma, bandmate Sekhar Jyoti Goswami, and co-singer Amritprava Mahanta. Personal security officers Paresh Baishya and Nandeshwar Bora have also been listed as accused.
The extensive chargesheet—running over 12,000 pages—was brought to the court in three large boxes. SIT officials said the investigation relied on substantial independent evidence, with Assam Advocate General overseeing legal review. “This is a case in which conviction is possible,” said an SIT official.
The probe has been wide-ranging, with the team travelling to Singapore and examining nearly 300 witnesses. The chargesheet was filed nearly three months after Zubeen Garg’s death in Singapore in September, a tragedy that plunged Assam, the Northeast and fans across India into mourning.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recently told the Assembly that Zubeen’s death was a case of murder and assured a watertight investigation.
Heavy security accompanied the SIT convoy to the court today. Authorities expect the chargesheet to shed crucial light on the circumstances leading to Zubeen Garg’s death.
Meanwhile, Singapore Police, conducting a parallel investigation, have said their preliminary findings do not indicate foul play, with the final probe expected to take up to three more months.
