Assam police have made arrests in the ongoing investigation into the death of singer Zubeen Garg. Siddhartha Sharma, the singer’s manager, and Shyamkanu Mahanta, the chief organizer of a festival, were apprehended in Delhi on Wednesday morning. They are facing charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, criminal conspiracy, and causing death by negligence, as stated by a senior police official.
Following the arrests, the individuals were transported to Guwahati and presented before the Kamrup Chief Judicial Magistrate, who ordered a 14-day police custody. Due to the court being closed for Durga Puja, the hearing was held at the judge’s residence. Special DGP (CID) Munna Prasad Gupta confirmed that the investigation into Zubeen Garg’s death would proceed legally. The head of the SIT investigating the case confirmed the 14-day police custody. An Interpol lookout notice had already been issued against them. Mahanta was detained at the Delhi airport upon his arrival from Singapore, based on the notice, and was subsequently handed over to the Assam Police.
Authorities tracked Sharma’s location, leading to his arrest near the Delhi-Haryana border. Police have seized mobile phones, including Zubeen Garg’s. Photos of the accused in custody have been released. Security was high during the transport of the accused. Assam Police and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) provided security. The state government has banned Shyamkanu Mahanta from organizing any events in Assam.
Zubeen Garg was in Singapore before his death to participate in the festival. His wife, Garima Saikia Garg, expressed her faith in the investigation team, hoping for swift answers about the events in Singapore. The Assam government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the singer’s death by drowning in Singapore on September 19.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma previously announced the issuance of a ‘lookout notice’ against Mahanta and Sharma, requiring their presence before the CID by October 6.