Not calling it an accident: What Assam CM Sarma said on Zubeen Gargs death
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma made some shocking claims regarding the death of singer Zubeen Garg. He said that the beloved Assamese icon was murdered. He said that a chargesheet in the case would be filed latest by December 8. The SIT formed to probe the death has already arrested 8 people in the matter. Garg died while swimming in the sea in Singapore. He was in the country to participate in the North East India Festival.
New Delhi: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has made some shocking claims regarding the death of singer Zubeen Garg. He claimed that the singing sensation and Assamese icon was "murdered". The singer died in Singapore in September.
'No an accident': Himanta Biswa Sarma
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma talking about the death of the singer said, "I am not calling it an accident. The chargesheet in this murder case must be submitted by December 17, but I have set a target to file it by December 8. We are ready now."
The CM however did not disclose why the investigators decided to classify the death of the beloved singer as a murder.
Zubeen Garg died while swimming in the sea in Singapore on September 19. He was in the country to take part in the fourth North East India Festival. His death, which happened under mysterious circumstances, sent shockwaves across the nation and prompted investigations. Currently a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Assam Police is carrying out investigations into the death of the singer.
Altogether 60 FIRs were filed in the matter across Assam.
Sarma also informed the media that he met Union Home Minister Amit Shah to expedite the filing of a chargesheet in the matter. In case of incidents which occur abroad the permission of MHA is needed to file a chargesheet. The Assam CM said, "Yesterday I met the Union Home Minister to fast track the process."
He said that the SIT will soon approach the MHA to seek necessary clearance to file the chargesheet. He informed that SIR members would be meeting MHA officials in the next 3 to 4 days.
The CM also clarified that the state government had not extended any financial aid to North East India Festival.
One must note that the chief organiser of the NIEF, Shyamkanu Mahanta, Garg’s manager Siddharth Sharma and 2 band members of the singer's band, Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and Amrit Prabha Mahanta have been arrested in the case. Apart from them, Garg's cousin, Assam Police DSP Sandipan Garg has also ben taken into custody.
The police also later arrested 2 security officers of the late singer, Nandeswar Bora and Prabin Baishya. Both of them were arrested after police uncovered alleged unexplained financial transactions worth Rs 1.1 crore in their accounts.
All the accused are currently in judicial custody. They have been charged under various sections of the Bhratiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).