A Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the death of renowned Assamese singer Zubeen Garg has charged four individuals—including his personal secretary and a festival organiser—with murder, marking a major development in the high-profile case. The charge sheet was filed before the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Kamrup in Guwahati on Friday, nearly three months after the singer died under mysterious circumstances in Singapore.

The SIT’s charge sheet names Zubeen’s secretary Siddhartha Sharma, North East India Festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, and the singer’s two band members, Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and Amritprava Mahanta, as accused of murder under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. All four have been under arrest and remain in judicial custody—five of the accused are lodged in Baksa Jail, while Goswami and Amritprava are in Haflong Prison.

A Case That Shocked Assam

Zubeen Garg, one of the most influential voices in the Northeast, died on September 19 while swimming in the sea in Singapore, where he had travelled to attend the North East India Festival. His sudden death sparked widespread outrage, leading to nearly 60 FIRs across Assam. His supporters, family and sections of the public demanded a thorough probe, prompting the state government to constitute an SIT headed by Special DGP M.P. Gupta.

Speaking to the media after the charge sheet submission, Gupta revealed that the document runs over 2,500 pages, supported by more than 12,000 pages of material and digital evidence. The SIT also submitted all evidence collected during its visit to Singapore, where two senior officers, including Gupta, coordinated with local authorities.

Charges Across Multiple Offences

The SIT’s charge sheet outlines a complex web of alleged criminal activity involving the accused:

• Shyamkanu Mahanta, the festival organiser, has been charged with murder, criminal conspiracy, extortion, cheating, and destruction of evidence.
• Siddhartha Sharma, the late singer’s secretary, has been charged with murder, criminal conspiracy, and criminal breach of trust.
• Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, a band member, has been charged with murder and criminal breach of trust.
• Amritprava Mahanta, another band member, has been charged with murder and destruction of evidence.

In addition to these charges:

• Sandipan Garg, Zubeen’s cousin and a suspended Assam Police officer, has been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
• Two of the singer’s personal security officers, Nandeswar Bora and Prabin Baishya, have been charged with criminal conspiracy and criminal breach of trust for allegedly misappropriating funds and property entrusted to them.

Gupta confirmed that the primary charge sheet relates to CID case no. 18/2025, the first case registered following the massive public outcry. A second case—related to Zubeen’s property and other associated activities—remains under investigation.

Singapore Police Maintain No Initial Evidence of Foul Play

Even as the SIT concluded that the incident was a case of murder, Singaporean authorities conducting a parallel investigation have stated that preliminary findings did not indicate foul play. In a recent statement, the Singapore Police Force said its inquiry could take another three months to complete.

Political Backdrop Heightens Attention

The case has taken on heightened political significance, particularly after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma declared in the recently concluded Assembly session that Zubeen’s death was “plain and simple murder.” His remarks added pressure on investigative agencies and intensified public expectations for a definitive conclusion.

Extensive Probe Continues

The sheer volume of evidence and the complexity of the charges reflect what investigators describe as a deeply layered case involving financial irregularities, alleged conspiracy, and conflicting accounts of Zubeen’s final moments. The SIT maintains that all findings submitted are backed by forensic, documentary, and digital evidence collected both domestically and in Singapore.

With the primary charge sheet now filed, the case will move to the next stage of judicial scrutiny. Meanwhile, the parallel investigation by Singaporean authorities remains ongoing, meaning that more developments may surface in the weeks ahead.

For now, the SIT’s conclusion—charging those closest to Zubeen Garg with murder—marks a dramatic turn in a case that has gripped Assam and raised troubling questions about trust, loyalty, and the circumstances surrounding the beloved singer’s final days.