Guwahati (Assam) [India], October 4 (HBTV): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday announced that the state government will constitute a judicial commission headed by Justice Soumitra Saikia of the Gauhati High Court to probe the circumstances surrounding the death of singer Zubeen Garg.
In a post on X, Sarma said, ‘Assam Government will constitute a Judicial Commission under Hon'ble Mr Justice Soumitra Saikia to examine the circumstances surrounding the demise of #BelovedZubeen.’
The Chief Minister also released a video message expressing gratitude to the High Court for approving the request to appoint a sitting judge to head the inquiry. He noted that such an appointment is rare in the state and said the commission would be formally constituted on Saturday.
‘Those who closely follow such matters are aware that for a sitting judge of the High Court to head a judicial commission is extremely rare, although it may have happened once or twice before in our state. Tomorrow, we will formally constitute the commission under Justice Soumitra Saikia. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Honourable High Court for this decision,’ Sarma said.
Addressing the circulation of claims on social media, he added, ‘Now, to all those people who have been sharing various information on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter regarding Zubeen's alleged murder, it is their responsibility now to submit affidavits before this judicial commission. We will certainly be watching those who have spoken so much on Facebook and Instagram. Now, will they fulfil their responsibility by submitting affidavits before the judicial commission, or not?’
Zubeen Garg died in Singapore on September 19 in a scuba diving accident, a day before he was scheduled to perform at the Northeast India Festival. His mortal remains were flown to Delhi and later brought to Guwahati on September 21.
Meanwhile, Shyamkanu Mahanta, organiser of the Northeast India Festival, who was arrested in connection with Garg’s death, has approached the Supreme Court seeking transfer of the investigation from the Assam Police’s Special Investigation Team to a central agency such as the CBI or NIA. He has also sought the appointment of a retired Supreme Court judge to monitor and supervise the probe.
(ANI)