In a major development in the ongoing investigation into the death of popular Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, a Guwahati court on Wednesday sent five of the seven accused arrested in the case to judicial custody after the expiry of their police remand. The court of Chief Judicial Magistrate of Kamrup Metropolitan district, Baloram Kshetri, remanded the accused — Shyamkanu Mahanta, Siddharth Sharma, Sandipan Garg, Paresh Baishya, and Nandeswar Bora — to 14 days’ judicial custody.
The arrests stem from a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe led by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID)of the Assam Police, following the mysterious death of Garg on September 19 in Singapore. Garg, one of Assam’s most celebrated musicians, reportedly died while swimming in the sea during a yacht party organised by a group of Assamese NRIs.
Court Order and Custody Details
According to officials, the police remand of Mahanta and Sharma — which lasted the maximum permissible period of 14 days — ended on Wednesday, after which the court ordered their transfer to judicial custody. The remaining three accused — Sandipan Garg, Paresh Baishya, and Nandeswar Bora — were also sent to jail as their remand periods expired.
Confirming the court’s decision, Special DGP (CID) and head of the 10-member SIT, MP Gupta, told reporters, “Five accused were produced in court following the expiry of their police remand. The remand of Mahanta and Sharma, which was the maximum period of 14 days, is already over, and they will now be in judicial custody.”
Gupta added that the police custody of two other accused — Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and Amritprava Mahanta, both of whom were present at the scene of Garg’s death — will expire on October 17, after which they will also be produced before the court.
Who Are the Accused?
The five individuals remanded to judicial custody come from varied professional backgrounds and were associated with Garg in different capacities:
- Shyamkanu Mahanta: The organiser of the North East India Festival (NEIF) in Singapore, which Garg had travelled to attend. Mahanta is also accused in a separate case of financial irregularities related to the event’s management.
- Siddharth Sharma: Garg’s manager, who was present at the yacht party when the incident occurred.
- Sandipan Garg: An Assam Police officer and a cousin of Zubeen Garg. He too was present at the scene of the singer’s death.
- Paresh Baishya and Nandeswar Bora: Both police constables assigned as personal security officers (PSOs) to Garg. They have been accused of mishandling the singer’s funds, which were reportedly deposited into their bank accounts. Both officers have been suspended following their arrests.
Details of the Death and Initial Investigation
Zubeen Garg, 52, had travelled to Singapore to perform at the North East India Festival, a cultural event celebrating the art and heritage of northeastern India. On September 19, he joined a private yacht party organised by a few Assamese expatriates. While swimming in the sea during the party, Garg reportedly collapsed and drowned, and was later declared dead at a local hospital.
The CID registered a case under multiple sections — including murder, criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and death due to negligence — after questions arose regarding the circumstances surrounding his death.
Authorities noted discrepancies between witness statements and the sequence of events leading to Garg’s drowning. This prompted the formation of a 10-member SIT, headed by DGP (CID) MP Gupta, to conduct a comprehensive probe in coordination with Singapore authorities.
Singapore Cooperation and New Leads
Gupta revealed that on Tuesday, the CID received a formal communication from Singaporean authorities through the Indian High Commission in Singapore. The email requested details about the Indian officials who plan to visit Singapore, the locations they wish to inspect, and the evidence they seek to collect.
“We have replied to that communication. It is a positive development, and we are hopeful that we will get a green signal soon so that our team can visit Singapore,” Gupta said.
In parallel, the investigation in Assam continues, with the SIT recording statements of several witnesses, including Assamese nationals residing in Singapore who were either present during the party or had knowledge of the event.
Witness Statements and NRI Cooperation
According to Gupta, 11 Assamese NRIs have now joined the probe. “Till Tuesday, seven of the 11 NRIs who had been issued notices had arrived in Guwahati and joined the investigation. With three more recording statements on Wednesday, that number has risen to 11,” he said.
Among those whose statements were recorded recently are Sushmita Goswami and another NRI from Singapore, both of whom arrived in Guwahati this week. A third person, Debojyoti Hazarika, is expected to give his statement later on Wednesday.
Gupta said the last remaining witness, Wajid Ahmed, a Singapore citizen of Assamese origin, has expressed his intention to travel to India soon to record his statement as well.
Fake Post-Mortem Report Controversy
The Special DGP also addressed the spread of a fake post-mortem report circulating on social media, purportedly showing details of Garg’s death. Gupta clarified that the document in circulation is not genuine.
“The report being circulated doesn’t bear any doctor’s signature. The correct post-mortem report is with us. I appeal to the public not to believe or spread false information that could create confusion or mistrust. Legal action will be taken against those spreading misinformation,” he said.
Financial Irregularities Under Probe
In addition to probing the singer’s death, the CID is also investigating allegations of financial misconduct involving event organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta. Police suspect irregularities in the handling of funds related to the event Garg attended in Singapore.
The arrests of Garg’s PSOs — Paresh Baishya and Nandeswar Bora — were made in connection with a financial fraud angle. Investigators allege that large sums of money belonging to the singer were transferred or held in their personal accounts. Both constables are being interrogated to determine whether they acted independently or under instructions from others involved in the case.
SIT’s Ongoing Efforts and Next Steps
The SIT, led by MP Gupta, continues to coordinate with both domestic and foreign authorities to establish the full sequence of events leading to Garg’s death. The team plans to visit Singapore once official clearance is received to collect evidence, examine the scene, and interact with local law enforcement and medical officials.
“The investigation here is progressing as expected. We are hopeful that once our officers visit Singapore, we will get crucial forensic and eyewitness evidence that could help determine whether there was any foul play,” Gupta said.
The CID is also examining digital evidence, including phone records, financial transactions, and social media communications between the accused and other individuals connected to the incident.
Public Reaction and Impact on Assam’s Music Community
The death of Zubeen Garg — who was widely loved for his music, philanthropy, and outspoken personality — has left an emotional void in Assam’s cultural landscape. Fans across the state have demanded transparency and justice, urging authorities to ensure that the investigation is not influenced by powerful interests.
Public sentiment intensified after reports of possible foul play surfaced online, prompting the Assam government to expedite the probe. Several artists and cultural figures have expressed shock over the arrests and have called for patience as the legal process unfolds.
Conclusion
As the case progresses, the Assam CID’s investigation into Zubeen Garg’s death has widened, now encompassing both criminal and financial aspects. With five accused now in judicial custody and two others still under police interrogation, the probe is entering a critical phase.
The cooperation from Singaporean authorities marks a step forward in uncovering the truth behind the incident that has stunned Assam and the wider Indian music fraternity. The coming weeks are expected to be crucial as investigators await forensic findings, witness depositions, and international inputs that could either confirm or dispel suspicions of foul play in the tragic death of one of Assam’s most iconic artists.
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