In a significant development following the death of popular singer Zubeen Garg, Assam police have confirmed the arrest of nine individuals. These arrests are linked to the chaotic scenes that unfolded near Baksa District Jail on Saturday, October 18, 2025, during the transfer of five accused in Garg’s death case.
Ujjal Pratim Baruah, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) for Baksa, stated that while nine arrests have been made, several other individuals involved in the violence have been identified. A rigorous search operation is currently underway to bring them to justice. SSP Baruah emphasized the seriousness of the investigation, noting that a dedicated team is leading the probe with assistance from local communities and media. He assured that genuine fans of Zubeen Garg have nothing to fear, as the focus is on those who instigated violence under the guise of fandom.
The protests escalated into violence on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, outside Baksa jail. This occurred as five individuals accused in Garg’s death were being transferred following their remand to judicial custody by a Guwahati court. Demonstrators hurled stones at the vehicles transporting the accused, resulting in injuries to police personnel and media representatives. Several other vehicles were also set ablaze by the angry crowd.
To restore order, police resorted to baton-charges and deployed tear gas shells. Consequently, internet and mobile data services in the district were temporarily suspended but were thankfully restored on Friday, October 17, 2025, once the situation normalized. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of BNSS remain active in Mushalpur town, where the jail is situated, and its surrounding areas, with heightened security measures enforced around the detention facility.
Zubeen Garg’s tragic demise occurred on September 19 while he was swimming in the sea during his participation in the 4th North East India Festival (NEIF) in Singapore. Those currently lodged at Baksa jail in connection with the case include Shyamkanu Mahanta, NEIF’s chief organizer; Siddhartha Sharma, Garg’s manager; Sandipan Garg, his cousin and a police officer; and his personal security officers Nandeswar Bora and Prabin Baishya.
Additionally, two of Garg’s band members, Shekharjyoti Goswami and Amritprava Mahanta, were also remanded to judicial custody by the Kamrup (Metro) chief judicial magistrate on Friday and have been moved to Haflong prison in Dima Hasao district. The Assam Police CID has formed a 10-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the beloved singer-composer’s death.