Assam Govt orders judicial probe into Zubeen Garg’s death; Justice Soumitra Saikia to lead commission

The Gauhati High Court has approved the Assam government’s request to constitute a judicial commission to investigate the death of singer and cultural icon Zubeen Garg, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Friday.

The commission will be headed by Justice Soumitra Saikia of the High Court. Sarma urged people to share with the commission any concerns they or Zubeen’s family may have regarding the circumstances of his death.

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Meanwhile, Zubeen’s wife, Garima Saikia Garg, recorded her statement before a chief judicial magistrate in connection with an FIR being probed by the state CID.

Sarma also informed that the government has received the first autopsy report from Singapore authorities, which has been handed over to Garima Garg. A second report from Gauhati Medical College is expected to be released soon.

The CID on Friday produced Zubeen Garg’s band member Sekhar Jyoti Goswami and co-singer Amritprava Mahanta before a chief judicial magistrate in Guwahati, who remanded them to 14 days of CID custody.

Assam-based entrepreneur and cultural activist Shyamkanu Mahanta, who has come under scrutiny in connection with the singer’s death, approached the Supreme Court on Friday under Article 32 of the Constitution, seeking protection of his fundamental rights.

Zubeen Garg, one of Assam’s most cherished cultural icons, passed away in Singapore on September 19 under circumstances that triggered shock and speculation. His sudden demise prompted the Assam government to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the events leading to his death.

Several close associates and acquaintances, including Mahanta, have come under scrutiny as investigators piece together the singer’s final days. The SIT has already made a series of arrests and issued notices to individuals believed to have been present in Singapore at the time.