The mysterious death of popular Assamese singer Zubeen Garg in Singapore on September 19 has taken a new turn. Assam Police arrested musicians Shekharjyoti Goswami and Amritprabha Mahanta, who were with Garg during the incident. This brings the total arrests in the case to four.
Who Were Arrested?
On Thursday, Assam Police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) arrested Shekharjyoti Goswami and Amritprabha Mahanta. Both were present at the yacht party in Singapore, where Garg went swimming and later died. The police found evidence that warranted their arrest for further inquiry.
Earlier, singer Zubeen Garg’s manager Siddharth Sharma and Northeast India Festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta were arrested. Both faced charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, criminal conspiracy, and causing death by negligence. Recently, murder charges were also added under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which can carry punishment up to life imprisonment or death.
Investigation Details
Zubeen Garg died while swimming at Lazarus Island during the Northeast India Festival in Singapore. Videos show Goswami swimming close to Garg, while Mahanta reportedly recorded the incident on her phone. The Assam Police SIT continues to interrogate all involved.
The Indian government has invoked the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) with Singapore to obtain cooperation in the probe. Assam Police are waiting for permission to send a team to Singapore to gather more evidence. The autopsy report conducted in Singapore has been shared with Garg’s family after formalities, while a second post-mortem is underway in Guwahati. The final viscera report is awaited from the Central Forensic Laboratory in Delhi.
Reactions and Next Steps
Garg’s wife, Garima Garg, expressed faith in the justice system, saying the investigation will reveal the truth. Hundreds of FIRs have been lodged across Assam against some involved persons.
The comprehensive investigation is ongoing. Assam Police continue questioning the accused and gathering evidence, aiming to bring justice to the beloved singer’s family and fans.
