Proceedings in the Zubeen Garg death case in Assam will remain unaffected by the Singapore Police concluding that there was no foul play, with state authorities asserting that the two investigations are based on different premises and evidence.
Advocate General Devajit Saikia said the charge sheet filed by Assam Police before a Guwahati court stems from a broader probe and will continue independently. “The investigation, findings and closure by Singapore Police into the drowning of Zubeen Garg in that country in September last year will have no bearing and impact on the ongoing proceedings in the fast-track court here,” he told mediapersons.
He added, “The charge sheet filed in Guwahati is on the basis of allegations of offences and premises which are different from those of the probe conducted by the Singapore Police.”
Singer-composer Zubeen Garg drowned while swimming off Lazarus Island on September 19, a day before he was scheduled to perform at the North East India Festival in Singapore.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Assam Police’s CID, led by Special Director General of Police MP Gupta, conducted a parallel investigation and filed a charge sheet in December naming seven accused, four of whom face murder charges. The case is currently being heard on a day-to-day basis by a fast-track sessions court in Guwahati.
Also read: Assam cabinet moves for fast-track court in Zubeen Garg case
Gupta maintained that the state probe examined a wider sequence of events. “In our investigation we had taken the larger picture into account, going back to a couple of years and the continued happenings,” he said.
“A clear picture emerges where the dots are connected…we have looked into the happenings over several years, how Garg was swindled by the accused,” Gupta added. “Omissions and commissions by these persons (accused) have been taken into account. Being a manager or a cousin accompanying him, they had some duties to perform and cannot shrug them off.”
He reiterated, “When the dots are connected, the larger picture emerges.”
Singapore Police, in a statement issued on Wednesday, said their investigations had found no evidence of foul play. The state coroner there had earlier ruled the death as “simply due to an unfortunate and tragic accidental drowning” and stated that no one had forced or pushed Garg into the water.
Saikia indicated that distinctions between the two probes could be formally drawn if required. “I don't want to distinguish between the two investigations elaborately at this stage. But if needed we will distinguish the cases and situations at an appropriate stage,” he said.
The development has triggered political reactions in poll-bound Assam, with opposition parties claiming the “mystery” behind the death remains unresolved due to differing conclusions. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, however, said there is “no difference” between the Singapore findings and the state police’s charge sheet, asserting that the verdict will “strengthen” the case.
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