The investigation into the untimely death of Assam’s beloved singer and cultural icon Zubeen Garg has reached a crucial phase, with a 10-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Assam Police preparing to leave for Singapore on October 20. Officials said the visit is a major step forward in uncovering the truth behind the mysterious death that has left fans across the region in deep sorrow.
The SIT, headed by Special Director General of Police (CID) Munna Prasad Gupta, has been working continuously for the past several weeks to piece together what exactly led to Zubeen’s tragic death on September 19 while he was in Singapore. The singer, who was attending the 4th North East India Festival, reportedly died while swimming, an incident that shocked millions of his admirers.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Special DGP Gupta said, “The investigation is underway. Statements are being recorded, and our officers are working round-the-clock. The probe is moving in the right direction.” He confirmed that the SIT is fully prepared for the Singapore visit and that the team will follow the official schedule and procedures set by Singaporean authorities. 
Gupta further added that the team’s findings will form an essential part of the final report to be submitted to the court within the legally specified period. The SIT aims to file its charge-sheet within 90 days, once all evidence and testimonies are collected, including inputs from Singapore officials.
In the days leading up to the foreign visit, the SIT has been busy recording statements from several individuals who had close contact with Zubeen before his death. Among them was Hitesh Baruah, in whose hospital the singer had been treated earlier. Baruah told investigators that Zubeen had been suffering from epilepsy and needed to be kept away from both fire and water. “Everyone close to Zubeen knew about his condition. Taking him abroad and then allowing him to swim was a mistake,” Baruah said during his statement, emphasizing that such actions could have put the singer’s life at risk.
The SIT also questioned well-known musician Diganta Bharati, among others, to understand the sequence of events before Zubeen’s tragic end. According to officials, these interactions are helping the team build a clearer timeline and determine whether any negligence or deliberate action was involved.
So far, seven individuals have been arrested in connection with the case. Those arrested include Shyamkanu Mahanta, the chief organiser of the North East India Festival; Siddhartha Sharma, Zubeen’s manager; his cousin and police officer Sandipan; two band members, Sekharjyoti Goswami and Amritprava Mahanta; and his two personal security officers, Nandeswar Bora and Prabin Baishya. All seven are currently in judicial custody after the completion of their police remand.
