Gaurav Gogoi targets Assam CM over probe in singer Zubeen Garg's death

Guwahati (Assam) [India], September 30 (HBTV): Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi on Monday criticised Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over the probe into the death of singer Zubeen Garg, saying ten days have passed and ‘we still don’t know’ the whereabouts of his manager and chief event organiser.

‘The role of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is extremely dubious. From the beginning of the case, we still don’t know where his manager is. Where is his chief event organiser? These two people have very detailed information about the last few hours before Zubeen Garg’s death. Assam Police is questioning other people,’ Gogoi said.

He added that the two had been given until October 6 to appear before the police. ‘Why this special treatment?’ he asked, while alluding to media reports and alleging ‘links with BJP’.

On Monday, Himanta Biswa Sarma said the Assam government had requested the Ministry of Home Affairs to invoke the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) with Singapore in connection with the ongoing probe.

‘The Govt of Assam has submitted a formal request to the Ministry of Home Affairs to invoke the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) with Singapore in connection with the unfortunate demise of our beloved Zubeen. Once invoked, this will ensure full cooperation from Singaporean authorities—giving us access to case details and assistance to bring back the accused and secure justice,’ the Chief Minister said in a post on X.

Speaking to reporters, Sarma added that the next two to three days were crucial, as an Assam Police team had already reached Singapore.

Meanwhile, a senior Assam Police official said that Shyamkanu Mahanta ‘is hiding in Singapore’. Earlier, look-out notices were issued against Mahanta and Siddharth Sharma, Zubeen Garg’s manager. Both have been directed to appear before the CID office in Guwahati by October 6.

Assam DGP Harmeet Singh said that, as per the Chief Minister’s directive, the CID/SIT probe would be conducted transparently. ‘One SIT/CID is already in Delhi, and one team will go to Singapore. The process of the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) is on. I appeal to the people of Assam to show their faith towards the Assam Police in the last seven days, and this probe will reach a final conclusion. We should follow the legal process. Let them do their work and request all to support us,’ he said.

Zubeen Garg died in Singapore on September 19 after an alleged drowning incident. His body was flown to Delhi and later brought to Assam.

(ANI)