A sensational twist has emerged in the probe into singer Zubeen Garg’s death, with his arrested bandmate Shekhar Jyoti Goswami alleging that the artist was poisoned while in Singapore. The claim, recorded in official documents, has cast a fresh shadow over the already fraught investigation.
According to the 'Detailed Grounds of Arrest' or remand note accessed, Goswami accused Garg’s manager Siddharth Sharma and festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta of administering poison to the singer, later attempting to pass off his death as an accident at sea.
The remand note, signed by Special Investigation Team (SIT) member and senior SP Rosie Kalita, stated: “During the critical moments when Shri Zubeen Garg was gasping for breath, almost drowning, Siddharth Sharma was heard shouting ‘Jabo de, jabo de’ (let him go, let him go). The witness emphasised that Zubeen Garg was an expert swimmer... and therefore, could not have died due to drowning.”
Garg, who had travelled to Singapore to perform at the 4th edition of the NorthEast India Festival, died under mysterious circumstances while swimming in the sea. The festival was organised by Mahanta and his company.
The SIT note further highlighted Goswami’s allegation that the conspirators deliberately chose a foreign venue “to conceal their conspiracy.” It added that Sharma instructed him “not to share the yacht videos with anyone.”
The investigation has widened significantly, with the organiser Mahanta, manager Sharma and two band members – Goswami and Amritprabha Mahanta – placed under arrest and remanded to 14 days in police custody.
Also read: Assam to set up judicial commission to probe Zubeen Garg’s death; I-T, ED to join investigation
The nine-member SIT of the CID is spearheading the probe into the case, while the Assam government has also appointed a one-man judicial commission to examine the circumstances of Garg’s death. CID sources confirmed the authenticity of the remand note.
The controversy has been further sharpened by Mahanta’s powerful connections. He is the younger brother of Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, former director general of police and now the chief information commissioner of Assam. Another brother, Nani Gopal Mahanta, previously education advisor to the chief minister, is currently the vice chancellor of Gauhati University.
According to the remand note, Goswami alleged that Sharma displayed “suspicious conduct” while in Singapore. He said Sharma forcibly seized control of the yacht from its sailor, causing it to wobble dangerously in mid-sea, endangering the passengers onboard.
When Garg was frothing from the mouth and nose, Sharma reportedly dismissed the condition as “acid reflux” and “instead of providing necessary medical facilities” told others there was no cause for alarm.
The SIT document concluded: “Material evidence collected during investigation, including documentary records, financial transactions, and witness statements, prima facie establishes his (Sharma’s) culpability.”
The fresh allegations are expected to intensify scrutiny of the events surrounding Garg’s untimely demise and raise uncomfortable questions about the role of those closest to him in Singapore.
Follow us
