The investigation into the death of singer-composer Zubeen Garg has taken a new turn, with two more people from his music band sent to police custody. On Friday, a court in Assam remanded band members Shekharjyoti Goswami and Amritprabha Mahanta to 14 days of police custody.
Earlier, on Thursday, the same court had sent cultural organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta and Garg’s manager Siddhartha Sharma to 14 days of police remand. Both were arrested in the National Capital Region on October 1. Mahanta was taken into custody soon after returning from Singapore, while Sharma was picked up the same day.
Special DGP and SIT head Munna Prasad Gupta told reporters that Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was added to the case after their arrest. “We are interrogating the two main accused, along with others connected to the case. Notices have been served to all those involved, asking them to appear before the SIT by October 6,” he said.
The case, registered as No. 18/2025, was earlier filed under sections related to criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and causing death by negligence. A separate case (No. 19/2025) linked to property matters has also been filed against Shyamkanu Mahanta under eight sections of the BNS.
Mahanta had been the chief organiser of the North East India Festival in Singapore, where Garg was scheduled to perform on September 20 — a day after he was found dead.
Autopsy report from Singapore
Singapore’s leading newspaper The Straits Times reported that the Singapore Police Force (SPF) had shared a copy of the autopsy report, along with its preliminary findings, with the High Commission of India.
SPF also appealed to the public in Singapore not to share any photos or videos related to Garg’s death. Legal expert Ng Kai Ling, quoted by the paper, said that while “foul play” has no statutory definition, SPF’s early statement suggested they did not suspect murder or criminal violence. However, a coroner’s inquiry may still be conducted to confirm how, when, and where Garg died.
SIT formed in Assam
Back in Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on September 24 the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case. The SIT, headed by SDGP (CID) M.P. Gupta, includes senior officers Rosie Kalita, Moramee Das, Laba Deka, Tarun Goel, Dhurbo Jyoti Bora, Muktajur Rahman, Krishanu Pathak, and Girendra Keot.
The team has been tasked with thoroughly investigating the circumstances surrounding Garg’s death and the role of organisers and associates.
Legal move by Mahanta
Meanwhile, Shyamkanu Mahanta has approached the Supreme Court of India seeking legal protection. On September 30, he filed a criminal writ petition (W.P.(Crl.) No. 56715/2025) against the Union of India, the State of Assam, the DGP of Assam, the NIA, and the CBI. The petition, filed through advocate Raj Kamal, has not yet been listed in court.
Family’s stand
Amid all these developments, Garg’s wife Garima Saikia Garg said she has full faith in the investigating team.
The death of the 52-year-old cultural icon on September 19 has left Assam in shock, with demands growing for transparency and justice in the case.