In a significant development in Assam, Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, the state’s Chief Information Commissioner (CIC), has resigned from his post following the arrest of his brother, Shyamkanu Mahanta, in connection with the high-profile death of musician, filmmaker, and actor Zubeen Garg in Singapore.

The resignation was announced on Thursday via a Facebook post by Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, who cited the arrest of his brother as the reason for stepping down. “I have decided to resign from the post of CIC due to a special circumstance,” Mahanta wrote. He explained that if any query related to his brother were to be submitted under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, it could create confusion or doubts regarding the impartiality of the commission. “Under these circumstances, my inner voice was telling me that if some query is submitted to the commission regarding my brother, I should quit so that there is no doubt and confusion in the minds of others,” he said.

Mahanta elaborated that he had already informed the office of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma about his decision to resign. He also instructed his colleagues to promptly notify him if any RTI request concerning his brother came before the State Information Commission. Mahanta explained that an RTI query had indeed sought details about government financial grants provided to Shyamkanu Mahanta for organising events. “Since the details sought would also involve Shyamkanu, I immediately submitted my resignation to the Governor [Lakshman Prasad Acharya],” Mahanta wrote.

He further emphasized that while an appropriate response could have been provided to the RTI query, he chose to step down to avoid any shadow of doubt in the public’s perception of the commission’s impartiality.

Shyamkanu Mahanta, Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta’s brother, was among seven people arrested in connection with Zubeen Garg’s death in Singapore on September 19. Garg, a celebrated figure in Assam and across India for his contributions to music and cinema, tragically died while swimming in the sea during a yacht party. Shyamkanu Mahanta had been serving as the chief organiser of the North East India Festival, which Garg attended in Singapore at the time of the incident.

Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, a 1988 batch Assam-Meghalaya cadre Indian Police Service officer, has had a long and distinguished career in law enforcement. He served as Assam Police Chief from 2019 to 2023 and was appointed as the state Chief Information Commissioner in March 2023. His tenure as CIC was initially scheduled to continue until March 2026, but he chose to resign prematurely in light of the sensitive circumstances surrounding his brother’s involvement in the case.

The resignation has drawn attention to the complexities faced by public officials when personal and professional spheres intersect in high-profile legal and administrative matters. By stepping down, Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta has sought to maintain the integrity of the State Information Commission and ensure that no questions arise about potential conflicts of interest in matters involving his family.

The case has also brought renewed focus to the tragic incident involving Zubeen Garg in Singapore. Garg, a prominent musician and actor, was widely celebrated for his contributions to Assamese music and Indian cinema. His untimely death at the yacht party has already prompted international attention, particularly as multiple individuals, including Shyamkanu Mahanta, are under investigation in connection with the incident.

The Assam government has yet to release an official statement on Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta’s resignation. However, the move is widely seen as a step to uphold transparency and accountability in public office. By resigning, Mahanta has underscored the principle that public officials must avoid even the appearance of conflict or bias, particularly when family members are implicated in ongoing investigations.

This development also highlights the broader challenges faced by governance institutions in managing high-profile and sensitive cases, where personal, administrative, and legal responsibilities intersect. In this case, the resignation serves as an attempt to preserve the credibility of the Information Commission and maintain public confidence in its impartiality, even amid ongoing investigations involving close relatives of senior officials.

Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta’s career trajectory, from Assam Police Chief to Chief Information Commissioner, has been marked by notable achievements in administration and law enforcement. His resignation underlines the ethical and moral considerations public servants must navigate in situations where familial involvement in legal matters could compromise public perception.

As investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding Zubeen Garg’s death, the focus remains not only on the individuals directly involved but also on ensuring transparency and accountability in the administration of justice. Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta’s decision to resign highlights the importance of public trust and the measures officials may take to safeguard institutional integrity, even at personal and professional cost.

With Shyamkanu Mahanta under arrest and the legal proceedings ongoing in Singapore, Assam’s administration will now need to navigate the dual challenges of addressing the high-profile case while ensuring the smooth functioning of the State Information Commission in the absence of its chief. The resignation has also prompted discussions on procedures for interim leadership within the commission to maintain its operational continuity.

In conclusion, Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta’s resignation as Assam Chief Information Commissioner, following his brother’s arrest in the Zubeen Garg death case, reflects the intersection of ethics, accountability, and public perception in public service. It underscores the principle that officials must sometimes take personal and professional sacrifices to uphold the credibility and trust in institutions meant to serve the public, especially in matters involving sensitive and high-profile legal investigations.

---