Assam Congress President Gaurav Gogoi recently voiced strong concerns, alleging that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the tragic death of beloved Assamese icon Zubeen Garg in Singapore is not pursuing justice effectively. He suspects the probe is deliberately shielding Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s alleged connections with key accused individuals.
Gogoi explicitly claimed that the state government established the SIT with the intent to protect Shyamkanu Mahanta and Siddhartha Sharma, currently in judicial custody, due to their perceived close ties with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the ruling BJP.
“As an investigation is underway, it is the government’s responsibility to disclose all pertinent information regarding Shyamkanu Mahanta and Siddhartha Sharma. Nothing should be withheld from the public,” Gogoi emphasized to reporters during a memorial event for the late singer-composer organized by opposition parties in Guwahati.
“The way Himanta Biswa Sarma is steering this SIT investigation suggests that its primary purpose is to obscure his close association with Shyamkanu Mahanta,” he alleged.
Zubeen Garg passed away on September 19 while swimming in Singapore, where he was attending the 4th North East India Festival (NEIF). The circumstances of his death have remained a contentious issue.
A 10-member SIT from the state police’s CID is currently handling the case. So far, seven individuals have been arrested: NEIF organizer Shyamkanu Mahanta, Garg’s manager Siddhartha Sharma, his cousin and police officer Sandipan, band members Sekharjyoti Goswami and Amritprava Mahanta, and his personal security officers Nandeswar Bora and Prabin Baishya.
Further fueling the controversy, the festival organizer, Shyamkanu Mahanta, is identified as the younger brother of former DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, who currently serves as the chief of the Assam State Information Commission. Another elder brother, Nani Gopal Mahanta, held the position of Education Advisor to the Chief Minister before becoming the vice-chancellor of Gauhati University.
Gogoi, who also serves as the deputy leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha, reiterated his belief that the SIT was designed to mask the alleged links between Garg’s manager and the BJP.
Expressing deep dissatisfaction with the investigation’s direction, he remarked, “Legal experts and those familiar with criminal law and the court system are collectively raising questions about the legitimacy of this investigation.”
He concluded his allegations by suggesting, “The chief minister’s direct involvement in leading the probe appears to be more about safeguarding his own reputation rather than ensuring a fair and thorough inquiry.”
Gogoi reflected on Garg’s profound impact, noting that in his passing, Assam lost a powerful voice—one that fearlessly advocated for its people, culture, and environment. “In his absence, we feel a profound void. Our duty now is to carry forward his vision, and that of Bhupen Hazarika, for a ‘Bor Asom’ (a greater, united Assam),” he added passionately.
The memorial saw leaders from various opposition parties unite, with singers performing Garg’s timeless hits. The atmosphere was charged with demands for “Justice for Zubeen” and fervent chants of “No Justice, No Rest,” visible on numerous placards.