In a major breakthrough in the ongoing probe into the death of iconic Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, businessman Shyamkanu Mahanta and the singer’s manager Siddharth Sharma — have been remanded to 14-day custody of the Special Investigation Team (SIT).
Officials confirmed that both were produced late on Wednesday before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) at his residence in Geetanagar’s Alpana Apartment, Guwahati, under tight security.
After hearing the case, the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) approved their remand, allowing the SIT to interrogate the accused and investigate their alleged roles in the sequence of events leading to Garg’s death in Singapore.
Mahanta, who was brought back from Singapore via Delhi earlier this week, and Sharma, who was responsible for managing Garg’s professional engagements, have both been under close scrutiny since their initial detention. Authorities called for an extensive probe, including the reconstruction of events leading up to the tragedy. Security was significantly stepped up both at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport during Mahanta’s transfer and at the magistrate’s residence, underscoring the heightened public interest in the case.
The SIT believes that the extended custody will be crucial for gathering evidence, cross-verifying testimonies, and mapping the timeline of Garg’s final days abroad.
Zubeen Garg, one of the most celebrated voices of Assam, passed away suddenly in Singapore, sparking widespread grief and outrage across the region. His death has led to an outpouring of tributes, while also fueling demands from fans and civil society for a transparent and thorough investigation. The Assam government had earlier assured that no stone would be left unturned to ensure justice for the late singer
Notices were sent to several people who had either travelled with him or were part of the event. These included Mahanta, Sharma, members of the Singapore Assam Association, and even close associates of the singer.