SCOOP EXCLUSIVE
Assam Public Works (APW) president Abhijit Sarma on Thursday appeared before the one-member judicial commission set up to probe the death of popular singer Zubeen Garg. The commission, led by Justice Soumitra Saikia of the Gauhati High Court, was formed after sustained public demand and a petition filed by APW seeking a judicial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death in Singapore earlier this year.
Speaking to Northeast Scoop, Sarma said that after Zubeen Garg’s death, social media was flooded with demands for a fair probe. “Many people were posting on social media, asking for answers. We also saw these posts and approached the Gauhati High Court, seeking a one-man judicial commission. The High Court accepted our plea and formed this commission,” he said. 
In its detailed affidavit submitted before the commission, APW raised a number of questions and concerns over what it described as “serious lapses” in the ongoing investigation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). The affidavit highlighted that while 18 people were reportedly on the yacht at the time of Garg’s death, only four were arrested. “If four people were arrested, why were the remaining fourteen not questioned or detained?” Sarma asked.
The affidavit also mentioned the role of Shyamkanu Mahanta, organiser of the North East Festival, and questioned why his wife—allegedly linked to Trend MMS—was called for questioning but never arrested. APW further pointed out that her house, which had been sealed earlier, was reopened, raising doubts about the consistency of the investigation.
The organization also questioned the absence of action against certain individuals linked to the events, including Anuj Kumar Baruah, the public relations manager of the North East Festival. According to APW, Baruah falsely announced on social media that all festival events were cancelled following Garg’s death, and later circulated unverified claims that the singer had died during a scuba diving activity. APW alleged that Garg’s manager, Siddhartha Sharma, might be hiding in Delhi with Baruah’s help and demanded that this angle be thoroughly investigated.
Sarma further said that APW raised doubts about the visa category under which Garg and his accompanying team had travelled to Singapore. “We have asked the commission to verify what type of visa was used and whether it was a cultural visa. We also want clarity on whether Garima Saikia Garg’s visa was rejected or never applied for,” Sarma added.
The affidavit noted that during the incident, Zubeen Garg was allowed to enter the water without a life jacket despite Singapore’s strict safety laws. It stated that only the yacht’s captain had administered CPR for nearly thirty minutes, though Singapore’s marine services are equipped with emergency response systems. “This entire situation looks unnatural,” APW’s statement read.
APW also asked why the singer’s autopsy was not conducted at AIIMS, New Delhi, instead of Guwahati, where it would be harder to detect toxic substances if any were present. The organization questioned whether warnings about weather conditions near the island had been ignored and whether the yacht’s SOS system had been verified.
Another key question raised by APW was how Shyamkanu Mahanta was able to travel to Delhi if a Look-Out Circular (LOC) had indeed been issued against him. The organization also questioned why the SIT called certain artists, musicians, and YouTubers for questioning, arguing that their involvement in the case was unclear.
Abhijit Sarma also referred to the role of Zubeen’s brother, Sandipan Garg, who was reportedly present at the yacht party. “As a police officer, he could have acted responsibly by securing the cellphones of everyone present as evidence. But he did not do so,” Sarma stated.
Through the affidavit, APW reiterated its demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the case, stating that only an independent probe could ensure transparency and justice. “We have told the commission that the role of all individuals, including Siddhartha Sharma, must be examined carefully. We will continue to fight until Zubeen Garg gets justice,” Sarma said.
Appealing to Zubeen Garg’s fans, Sarma urged them to remain active and come forward to give their statements before the commission. “This fight is not over. It is a fight for truth and justice,” he said.
