The Crossbill News Desk
The controversy surrounding the death of celebrated Assamese musician Zubeen Garg has taken a sharp political turn, with the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) accusing the state government of interference and shielding individuals close to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Even as dozens of Garg’s supporters remain in jail for demanding “justice” for the late singer, AJP secretary Chittaranjan Basumatary alleged that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) deliberately overlooked key evidence during its searches.
Shyamkanu Mahanta, the organiser of the North East Festival in Singapore, had his residence in Guwahati raided last week by the SIT, along with the homes of Garg’s band member Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and his manager Siddharth Sharma, both of whom had accompanied him to Singapore for the festival. Garg died on September 19 at St John’s Island during an outing.
“Reports suggesting that Zubeen Garg was poisoned and murdered have deeply hurt and shocked us,” Basumatary said in Guwahati on October 4, reported India Today NE, adding that the matter had taken a “disturbing political turn.”
The AJP leader accused Chief Minister Sarma of exploiting the issue for political mileage and failing in his responsibilities.
“Himanta Biswa Sarma has politicized a sensitive matter by raising irrelevant issues at a time when the state is grieving. He even failed to arrange a flight to bring Zubeen Garg’s mortal remains back to Assam, despite earlier promises to send a cabinet minister for the purpose,” Basumatary remarked.
He further criticised the government for mismanaging the tribute ceremony for Garg, saying, “The arrangements to pay homage to Zubeen Garg were mishandled. Over 100 of his supporters seeking justice are languishing in jail, while those truly responsible remain untouched.”
Alleging selective arrests, Basumatary claimed the Chief Minister used “fear tactics,” citing Nepal, and interfered in legal proceedings by preventing the arrest of Siddharth Sharma despite knowing his whereabouts in Delhi. He also alleged that during the SIT’s search at Mahanta’s house, “individuals close to the Chief Minister were present” and that some crucial documents were hidden to protect Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, the CM’s wife, The Wire reported.
“Zubeen Garg’s family is now even afraid to receive the post-mortem report. This itself reveals how politicized and pressured the situation has become,” Basumatary said.
Earlier in the day, Garg’s wife Garima Saikia Garg was handed the autopsy report conducted in Singapore, which ruled drowning as the cause of death and ruled out foul play.
However, she returned the report to investigators, stating, “I don’t have much knowledge about law and the post-mortem report is not my personal property, so I have returned it to the investigators.”
Reiterating charges of political meddling, Basumatary said, “attempts were made to weaken Zubeen Garg’s influence through agents planted around him.”
He demanded answers from the government on “why the chief minister’s family repeatedly interfered in this case” and urged the Supreme Court to constitute a commission to uncover the truth behind Garg’s death.
The AJP leader also accused the chief minister of enabling organiser Mahanta to “gain undue control over cultural syndicates after coming to power.”
The Mahanta family is considered close to Sarma, and allegations have surfaced on social media of business links between the chief minister’s wife and the family, though no clarification has been issued.
Among dozens of FIRs seeking justice for Zubeen, one complaint has also been filed against Riniki Bhuyan Sarma by sculptor Rudrankur Hazarika in Guwahati.
However, Hazarika was detained overnight by the police on September 30 from Garg’s residence before being released. Meanwhile, scores of Garg’s supporters remain behind bars, with some charged under the stringent National Security Act (NSA).
Even as dozens of Garg’s supporters remain in jail for demanding “justice” for the late singer, AJP secretary Chittaranjan Basumatary alleged that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) deliberately overlooked key evidence during its searches.
Shyamkanu Mahanta, the organiser of the North East Festival in Singapore, had his residence in Guwahati raided last week by the SIT, along with the homes of Garg’s band member Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and his manager Siddharth Sharma, both of whom had accompanied him to Singapore for the festival. Garg died on September 19 at St John’s Island during an outing.
“Reports suggesting that Zubeen Garg was poisoned and murdered have deeply hurt and shocked us,” Basumatary said in Guwahati on October 4, reported India Today NE, adding that the matter had taken a “disturbing political turn.”
The AJP leader accused Chief Minister Sarma of exploiting the issue for political mileage and failing in his responsibilities.
“Himanta Biswa Sarma has politicized a sensitive matter by raising irrelevant issues at a time when the state is grieving. He even failed to arrange a flight to bring Zubeen Garg’s mortal remains back to Assam, despite earlier promises to send a cabinet minister for the purpose,” Basumatary remarked.
He further criticised the government for mismanaging the tribute ceremony for Garg, saying, “The arrangements to pay homage to Zubeen Garg were mishandled. Over 100 of his supporters seeking justice are languishing in jail, while those truly responsible remain untouched.”
Alleging selective arrests, Basumatary claimed the Chief Minister used “fear tactics,” citing Nepal, and interfered in legal proceedings by preventing the arrest of Siddharth Sharma despite knowing his whereabouts in Delhi. He also alleged that during the SIT’s search at Mahanta’s house, “individuals close to the Chief Minister were present” and that some crucial documents were hidden to protect Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, the CM’s wife, The Wire reported.
“Zubeen Garg’s family is now even afraid to receive the post-mortem report. This itself reveals how politicized and pressured the situation has become,” Basumatary said.
Earlier in the day, Garg’s wife Garima Saikia Garg was handed the autopsy report conducted in Singapore, which ruled drowning as the cause of death and ruled out foul play.
However, she returned the report to investigators, stating, “I don’t have much knowledge about law and the post-mortem report is not my personal property, so I have returned it to the investigators.”
Reiterating charges of political meddling, Basumatary said, “attempts were made to weaken Zubeen Garg’s influence through agents planted around him.”
He demanded answers from the government on “why the chief minister’s family repeatedly interfered in this case” and urged the Supreme Court to constitute a commission to uncover the truth behind Garg’s death.
The AJP leader also accused the chief minister of enabling organiser Mahanta to “gain undue control over cultural syndicates after coming to power.”
The Mahanta family is considered close to Sarma, and allegations have surfaced on social media of business links between the chief minister’s wife and the family, though no clarification has been issued.
Among dozens of FIRs seeking justice for Zubeen, one complaint has also been filed against Riniki Bhuyan Sarma by sculptor Rudrankur Hazarika in Guwahati.
However, Hazarika was detained overnight by the police on September 30 from Garg’s residence before being released. Meanwhile, scores of Garg’s supporters remain behind bars, with some charged under the stringent National Security Act (NSA).
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