The untimely death of singer Zubeen Garg in Singapore last month has left fans, especially in the North East, in deep shock. This definitely began as a tragic accident, but now is turning into a complex mystery. It has coupled with arrests, political connections, and international investigations adding new twists every day.
On Thursday, the death case took yet another dramatic turn. Police arrested two people who were very close to Zubeen: musician Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and singer Amritprabha Mahanta. Both had travelled with him to Singapore for a cultural festival. Authorities now say they have gathered enough evidence to place them in custody for questioning.
With these arrests, four people are now behind bars in connection with the case. Earlier this week, Zubeen’s manager Siddharth Sharma and event organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta were also arrested. Shyamkanu comes from a very powerful family. His younger brother Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta once served as Assam’s Director General of Police and is now the state’s Chief Information Commissioner. Another brother, Nani Gopal Mahanta, has worked closely with the Chief Minister of Assam as Education Advisor and is currently the vice chancellor of Gauhati University.
From tragedy to crime case
Zubeen Garg, aged 52, died on September 19 while swimming in the sea in Singapore. He had gone there to perform at the Northeast India Festival. It was an event organised by Mahanta’s company. At first, his death seemed like an accident. But soon, many suspicions began to rise.
More than 60 FIRs were filed in different parts of Assam by fans and well-wishers. The state CID formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under senior officer LR Bishnoi to dig deeper. What they found has changed the course of the case.
Police have added serious charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Initially, it was culpable homicide not amounting to murder, conspiracy, and negligence. Now, Section 103 of the BNS, linked directly to murder, has been included. This section carries the maximum punishment of death penalty or life imprisonment.
Investigators look abroad
The probe is no longer limited to India. Since Garg died in Singapore, Indian authorities are coordinating with Singaporean officials.
“Our team is ready to go to Singapore. Some paperwork under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty is pending. Once that is cleared, we will travel,” Gupta, who heads the SIT, told reporters.
Singapore has already conducted its own autopsy. Officials there will hand the report directly to Zubeen’s family. In India, a second autopsy was done in Guwahati, but the viscera samples are still being examined by the Central Forensic Laboratory in Delhi. Until then, the exact cause of death remains unclear.
Who else is under the scanner?
The list of people being questioned is expanding. Notices have been sent to members of the Assam Association in Singapore, who helped host the festival. Even Garg’s cousin, Deputy SP Sandipan Garg, who was present when the incident happened, has been interrogated.
At the same time, investigators are digging into financial irregularities linked to event organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta. A raid on his residence reportedly uncovered suspicious documents: multiple PAN cards under the same firm, numerous official stamp seals, and papers connected to possible benami properties.
Known as the “heartthrob of Assam,” Garg’s voice defined an era of Assamese music and cinema. Every development in the case is being followed closely by people across Assam and the Northeast.
As of now, four people remain in custody, two autopsy reports are awaited, and the SIT is preparing to travel abroad for further investigation. The case is moving on several tracks at once.