Lookout notice issued against North East fest organiser, singer Zubeen Garg’s manager: Assam CM

After reports emerged that the late singer Zubeen Garg’s manager might be involved in the iconic singer’s death, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday announced that lookout notices have been issued against North East India Festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta and late singer Zubeen’s manager Siddharth Sharma.

Sarma, in a Facebook Live session, stated that both Mahanta and Sharma must appear in Guwahati on October 6 to record their statements before the probe team.

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“As the Durga Puja festival will begin, we don’t want them to come right now. But after Dashami, they have to come. They must come to Guwahati on October 6 and present their statements,” he said.

The Chief Minister clarified that if the two choose not to appear before the team probing the case, they may appear in front of the court. “If they do not want to present themselves before the CID, they can approach the court,” he noted.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said he has written to the Gauhati High Court seeking a judicial panel to ensure transparency in the police probe into the singer’s death.

Sarma asserted that politics will not be allowed over the late singer’s death.

The Assam government has formed a 10-member SIT, comprising CID officers, headed by Special DGP MP Gupta, to probe Zubeen’s death.

Meanwhile, Sharma broke his silence for the first time today after rumours about him exploiting Garg’s finances and trusts spread like wildfire. He said such rumours are “baseless” and “deeply hurtful.” He added that he has cooperated with the SIT probing the death and will continue to do so.

“This is a request from one human being to another. Let the investigation proceed without fear or prejudice. We owe it to Zubeen da’s memory to pursue truth with dignity,” he said.

Reacting to the SIT raids at his residence, he issued a statement that spoke about Garg’s vast catalogue and the earnings from his creative work. The statement added that the majority of the singer’s 38,000 recorded songs are contractually owned by various production houses and music companies, contrary to public perception.

“Almost all of Zubeen da’s songs, even the biggest blockbusters, were done before I entered his life. He often regretted how he was defrauded, with producers and labels earning crores while he received only modest payments. This can be verified with those companies directly,” said Sharma.

“The LLP has generated only a few thousand rupees monthly so far. The entire amount remains in the company account, with no withdrawals. Zubeen da owned 60 percent of the firm, and I consider it my duty to ensure that his family rightfully inherits this stake,” he added.

Garg, who reportedly drowned while swimming in the sea in Singapore on September 19. He was in the city for the North East India Festival, where he was scheduled to perform the next day.

Assam Chief Sarma assured the public on X that the case would be thoroughly investigated, adding, “We will not spare anyone.” The SIT will be headed by CID ADG MP Gupta, who has been given “full freedom to investigate the case,” the chief minister informed.