Garima Saikia Garg, wife of the late singer Zubeen Garg, has publicly demanded a fast-track trial in the ongoing investigation into her husband’s alleged murder, raising serious concerns about the roles of his manager, Siddharth Sharma, and the event organiser, Shyamkannu Mahanta. Her statement, issued on Tuesday, came in the wake of the charge sheet filed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on December 12, which she described as one of the largest ever filed in the state.

Garima, speaking from the perspective of both a grieving spouse and an advocate for justice, highlighted multiple aspects of the case that she believes point to criminal negligence, conspiracy, and deliberate disregard for Zubeen Garg’s safety. She noted that despite the emotional strain, the family had obtained and reviewed a copy of the charge sheet in detail, revealing troubling inconsistencies in the planning and execution of the singer’s trip to Singapore.

Accommodation and Travel Concerns

One of Garima’s key allegations revolves around repeated changes to Zubeen’s accommodation arrangements in Singapore. She pointed out that the singer was initially slated to share a room with another individual, only to be later shifted to a different arrangement. Multiple hotel bookings were altered even after the team had arrived in Singapore.

“Why was there so much confusion and manipulation around the accommodation of a person who was invited as the brand ambassador of such a large festival?” she asked, alleging that such decisions should have been finalised well before Zubeen’s travel. She emphasized that the singer had relied entirely on his manager and the organisers for all travel and accommodation arrangements, which meant he had no knowledge of under whose name the room was booked, pointing to what she sees as a hidden motive behind the logistical changes.

Garima also challenged claims by the organisers that Zubeen attended the event of his own volition. She noted that his photographs and promotional materials had been widely circulated well in advance, and that he had been repeatedly pressured to participate, with warnings of “serious consequences” if he refused.

Contractual and Financial Irregularities

Garima raised further concerns about the absence of a written contract for the event, describing this as a serious lapse by both the manager and the organiser. The charge sheet reportedly refers to a concept called “One Last Tour”, allegedly orchestrated by the manager, suggesting that Zubeen would retire from live performances after a ten-city tour. She claimed that this plan was unknown to the family, his band members, and close friends, and that higher performance fees were negotiated based on this plan without proper documentation.

Allegations of Negligence and Safety Lapses

A critical part of Garima’s statement focused on medical and safety negligence. She alleged that Zubeen, who had a history of seizures, was left without medical attention for nearly 75 minutes despite nearby medical facilities. She claimed the yacht involved in the incident lacked basic safety measures, including trained personnel and medical equipment. Video evidence cited in the investigation, she said, shows Zubeen encouraged to swim in open waters without a life jacket and left unattended, with untrained attempts at CPR causing further injuries.

“The scenes of vomiting, distress, and delayed rescue are deeply disturbing. In our view, everyone present on that yacht bears responsibility for this horrific incident,” Garima said, describing these actions as criminal and reckless.

Call for Fast-Track Justice

Reiterating her faith in the judicial system, Garima urged authorities to set up a fast-track court or a special bench to conduct daily hearings for the case. She warned that examining over 300 witnesses could otherwise take years, stressing that “justice delayed is justice denied.” She also appealed for the appointment of a strong team of public prosecutors, including senior advocates with proven credibility, to ensure that all accused are held accountable.

“If justice is denied to Zubeen Garg, what hope remains for ordinary citizens?” she asked, highlighting the broader implications of the case for public confidence in the justice system.

Family’s Patience and Hope

Garima concluded her statement by reaffirming the family’s patience and restraint, placing trust in the legal system while calling for the harshest possible punishment for those found guilty. The public post reflects both personal grief and a determined push for accountability, signaling that the family will continue to monitor the proceedings closely and advocate for swift justice.

The SIT’s ongoing investigation, which has already led to detailed charges against multiple individuals involved in the planning and execution of the event, is now under increased public scrutiny, with the family and supporters closely following developments in what has become one of Assam’s most high-profile cases in recent years.