In connection with the investigation into the death of singer Zubeen Garg, Assam Police have arrested the singer’s manager, Siddhartha Sharma, and festival organizer Shyamkanu Mahanta. The arrests took place in Delhi on Wednesday morning. The individuals face charges including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, criminal conspiracy, and causing death by negligence, according to a senior police official.
After the arrests, the accused were brought to Guwahati. They were presented before the Kamrup Chief Judicial Magistrate, who ordered their remand in police custody for 14 days. Due to the Durga Puja holiday, the hearing was conducted at the judge’s residence. Special DGP (CID) Munna Prasad Gupta assured that the investigation into Zubeen Garg’s death will be conducted legally. The head of the SIT formed to investigate the death confirmed the 14-day police custody. A lookout notice had been issued through Interpol. Shyamkanu Mahanta was detained at the Delhi airport upon arrival from Singapore based on the notice and was handed over to Assam Police.
Authorities tracked Sharma’s location in Delhi and Rajasthan. He was apprehended near the Delhi-Haryana border. Mobile phones belonging to the accused, including Zubeen Garg’s phone, have been seized. Pictures of Mahanta and Sharma in custody have been shared by police sources. The movement of the accused was heavily guarded. The Assam Police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) provided security during the transportation to the airport and the court. 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 hope for a swift resolution. She stated her confidence in the investigating team. She expects to soon find out what happened in Singapore. The Assam government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the death of the singer, who drowned in Singapore on September 19.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had previously announced the issuance of a ‘lookout notice’ against Mahanta and Sharma via Interpol and demanded their presence before the CID by October 6.