Zubeen Garg Death Mystery Deepens: Arrest of Bandmate & Singer Sparks Fresh Speculation

Assam Police formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of nine members to probe the case and Ready to Move to Singapore for Detailed Probe

In a shocking new development, the Assam Police arrested musician Shakharjyoti Goswami and singer Amritprabha Mahanta in connection with the death of prolific singer Zubeen Garg in Singapore last month. Reportedly, Shakharjyoti Goswami and Amritprabha Mahanta were present at the spot when the incident happened. Both the bandmates were called for interrogation during the day and later arrested, according to the police officials.

Zubeen Garg’s Bandmate Arrested

As per latest update, Goswami and Mahanta accompanied Garg at the yacht party in Singapore, when the 52-year-old singer went for a swim and was later found floating face down in the water. The Special Investigation Team (SIT), reported that Goswami was seen, in videos, swimming very close to Garg, while Mahanta recorded the entire incident on her cellphone.

"We have found some evidence against them. So, to enquire further, their arrest was necessary," an officer said.

Earlier Arrests

Previously, the Assam Police arrested Zubeen Garg's manager, Siddharth Sharma, and Northeast India Festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta in the case. Additionally, the Police has invoked murder charges against them in connection with the sudden death of the singer.

Munna Prasad Gupta, the Special DGP of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Assam Police, told reporters "The investigation is going on, and I cannot share much detail. We have added Section 103 of the BNS in the FIR now."

The Section 103 mandates that whoever commits murder shall be punished with death or imprisonment for life, and a fine.

Meanwhile, Siddharth Sharma and Shyamkanu Mahanta are in court in 14-day police custody now. The two were arrested in Delhi and brought to Guwahati.

The police further said “Sharma and Mahanta were booked under various sections of the BNS for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, criminal conspiracy and causing death by negligence.”

Shocking Reveal about Shyamkanu Mahanta

Assam Police earlier initiated a separate probe against Shyamkanu Mahanta for alleged organised financial crimes and acquiring huge amounts of benami properties by money laundering.

The CID claimed that it seized bundles of incriminating documents and other items from his home during the raid on September 25 and 26, such as multiple PAN cards in the name of the same firm, nearly 30 stamp seals of different companies and government officials, and documents related to several benami properties.

Second Autopsy Deepens the Suspense

Gupta, the special DGP of CID also said “the report of the autopsy conducted in Singapore will be handed over to the family of Garg after completing the formalities.”

"The Singaporean authorities also did their investigation. The autopsy report from them will be directly shared with the family as per protocol. As per our information, they have already contacted Garg's family and will share the report soon," he added.

When asked about the second post-mortem examination carried out in Guwahati, the special DGP said “the authority is waiting for the report on the viscera sample, which was sent to the Central Forensic Laboratory (CFL) in Delhi for a detailed examination.”

"Once the viscera report is received, I guess the post-mortem report by the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital will be ready and available to us," Gupta said.

Investigation in Singapore

Assam Police formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of nine members to probe the case. Gupta, who is heading the SIT, said “a team will leave for Singapore to collect evidence and other details related to the case once it gets approval from that country.”

"Our team is ready to go to Singapore. There are some formalities to be done. We have sent the request through the proper channel, and it will take some time. Once they inform us, our team will go," he said.

The Indian government has already invoked the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) with Singapore, seeking cooperation in the investigation into the death of the singer in the Southeast Asian country.

Gupta also said they have “quizzed Sandipan Garg, a Deputy SP and cousin of the singer, who was present with him during the incident.”

Singer’s Wife Keeps Faith on Judicial System

The singer's wife, Garima Garg, said she has full faith in the justice system, and everyone wants to know who is guilty of what crime.

"The investigation is ongoing and they are handling it in their own way. Therefore, we should not comment on it right now. I do not have much knowledge about it, so the law will take its own course. I have full faith that we will receive justice through our legal system, and the investigation will be conducted properly. We will soon learn what really happened that day, and we want to know who is guilty of what. If anyone is responsible, they will be punished very soon," she told news agency.

Under mysterious circumstances, Garg died in Singapore on September 19 while swimming in the sea. He had gone to the Southeast Asian nation to attend the 4th edition of the Northeast India Festival. The CID is currently investigating the case of Garg's death after over 60 FIRs, lodged across the state against Mahanta, and around 10 others, including the singer's manager.