Baksa, Assam: Chaos and violence broke out outside the newly constructed Baksa District Jail on Wednesday as five accused in the mysterious death of singer Zubeen Garg were remanded to judicial custody following a court order. The unrest left several police personnel injured, three police vehicles torched, and prompted authorities to impose prohibitory orders in and around the area.

The accused, who had been in police custody, were transported to the jail located roughly 100 kilometers from Guwahati after their remand ended. The incident triggered an intense response from the local population, particularly fans of Zubeen Garg, who gathered in large numbers demanding justice for the late singer.

Protest Turns Violent

According to police officials, as the convoy carrying the accused approached the jail, hundreds of protesters began pelting stones at the vehicles, escalating the situation rapidly. In the ensuing chaos, three police vehicles were set ablaze, and several officers, along with at least one journalist, sustained injuries.

In an effort to regain control, police resorted to firing in the air, baton charges, and tear gas shelling. Authorities also deployed Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel to prevent further escalation and maintain law and order. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 were imposed in Baksa district and nearby Mushalpur town to curb potential violence.

Accused Sent to Judicial Custody

The five individuals sent to judicial custody include:

• Shyamkanu Mahanta, organiser of the North East India Festival and a prime accused in the case.
• Siddhartha Sharma, Zubeen Garg’s manager.
• Sandipan Garg, the singer’s cousin and a suspended Assam Police Service officer who had accompanied him to Singapore.
• Nandeswar Bora and Paresh Baishya, both of Zubeen’s personal security officers.

All five were sent to 14 days of judicial custody, with none of them filing for bail. Government advocate Pradip Konwar confirmed the remand, stating, “14 days of judicial custody has been granted from the CJM court, and 5 people will be sent to jail directly.”

Background of the Investigation

The accused had been interrogated by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Assam Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which has been probing the circumstances surrounding Zubeen Garg’s death on September 19 while swimming in the sea in Singapore. The investigation has included the issuance of summons to NRIs involved in organising the yacht party during which the singer tragically died.

Special DGP (CID) and SIT head MP Gupta informed that two more accused, Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and Amritprava Mahanta, a bandmate and fellow singer present at the scene, will be produced in court when their police remand expires on September 17.

Gupta also clarified that a post-mortem report circulating on social media claiming to be Zubeen Garg’s is not genuine, warning the public against misinformation.

The Circumstances of Zubeen Garg’s Death

Zubeen Garg, the celebrated Assamese singer, died on September 19 during a yacht party arranged by a group of Assamese NRIs in Singapore. Eight individuals were reportedly present at the scene, and the CID has registered multiple charges including murder, criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and death due to negligence.

The SIT has been coordinating with Singapore authorities, who are conducting a separate investigation. Information shared by Singapore officials has assisted Assam police in advancing the inquiry. So far, seven of the eleven NRIs issued notices by the CID have arrived in Guwahati, with three more giving statements on Wednesday, bringing the total number of NRIs who have joined the probe to eleven.

Security Measures and Public Sentiment

The violent protests highlight the intense emotions surrounding the case and the popularity of Zubeen Garg in Assam and the wider Northeast. Authorities have taken multiple measures to prevent further unrest, including bolstering police presence, imposing prohibitory orders, and deploying specialized forces to the area.

The unrest also underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement in balancing public sentiment and maintaining order while ensuring that the legal process proceeds without obstruction.

Next Steps in Investigation

The SIT continues to investigate the death, questioning both those present at the scene and other individuals connected to the yacht party. The judicial custody of the five accused will allow the police to carry out further interrogation and evidence-gathering without the pressures of ongoing police remand.

Assam Police has urged the public to maintain peace and allow the investigation to proceed unhindered. “We are committed to ensuring a fair and transparent investigation into Zubeen Garg’s death, and all necessary legal procedures will be followed,” a senior police official said.

The case continues to attract significant attention due to the profile of the singer, the nature of the incident, and the involvement of multiple NRIs in an overseas location. Authorities in Assam have emphasized the need for calm while the judicial process unfolds and have assured strict action against anyone resorting to violence or obstruction of justice.