The filing of the chargesheet in the investigation into the death of popular singer Zubeen Garg has triggered fresh questions and doubts, with former Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Ripun Bora alleging that the document is weak and meant only for “eye wash”. Addressing a press conference on Friday, Bora said the chargesheet appears to have been filed only to show that an investigation has been completed, rather than to ensure justice.
Bora said that many certified documents related to the case are still under examination and that the Congress will come out with a more detailed report after further study. “Today we are only speaking about the initial points. When we complete our investigation of all certified copies, we will present a new and detailed report,” he said.
Referring to the sections invoked in the chargesheet submitted earlier this week, Bora claimed that two things are clearly visible. “First, the Assam government has filed the chargesheet just for the sake of filing it. It is a chargesheet in name only,” he alleged. 
He pointed out that in the case, Siddharth Sarma has been shown as the main accused in the murder, while others have been charged under sections related to criminal conspiracy, extortion and other offences. He also claimed that the role attributed to Sandipan Garg does not amount to murder under the sections applied.
Drawing a comparison with the Nithari murder case, Bora said that even the most heinous crimes fail to result in justice if the investigation and chargesheet are weak. He described the Nithari case as one of the most horrifying crimes in India’s history, involving the killing of children. “Despite death sentences being awarded earlier, the accused were later released because the investigation was flawed and the chargesheet was weak,” he said, adding that courts decide cases based on law and evidence, not public sentiment.
Bora said that both Moninder Singh Pandher and Surendra Koli were acquitted by higher courts due to lack of evidence and shortcomings in the police investigation. “This shows how dangerous a weak chargesheet can be,” he said.
Linking this to the Zubeen Garg case, Bora argued that unless the chargesheet is legally strong and backed by solid evidence, justice will be difficult to achieve. “I am not a lawyer, but in criminal cases, justice depends on whether charges are proved beyond reasonable doubt. If the sections are not strong and evidence is weak, the court cannot give a strong judgment,” he said.
He also questioned the focus on the size of the chargesheet, which reportedly runs into thousands of pages. “Pages do not matter. Singapore air tickets, taxi bills and such documents will not help unless the charges are supported by witnesses and solid proof,” he said. According to Bora, strong corroboration through multiple witnesses is essential for a case of this nature.
Bora said that in most murder cases, police seize the weapons or items used in the crime. “In this case, the yacht that was reportedly involved was never seized. If this question comes up in court, what answer will the SIT or the government give?” he asked.
He also questioned the scope of the investigation at the place of the incident, claiming that hotel staff should have been questioned in detail. “How many SIT officials went to the spot? Why were only one or two association members questioned? These are serious gaps,” he said.
Bora said that the demand of the people is clear; a fair, strong and credible investigation. “If Zubeen Garg does not get justice, history will never forgive Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma,” he said.
