Guwahati, Jan 16: Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi has raised sharp concerns over the handling of the death case of legendary Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, alleging serious inconsistencies between statements made by the Assam government and the conclusions reached by authorities in Singapore.
Speaking to ANI, Gogoi said that several aspects of the case remain unclear even months after the singer’s death. He pointed out that while Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had publicly described the case as a murder, investigative authorities in Singapore concluded that Garg’s death was natural and involved no foul play.
Questioning the credibility of the differing claims, Gogoi said the Assam government had arrested multiple individuals through a Special Investigation Team and framed conspiracy charges, whereas the Singapore government, after conducting its own probe, ruled out any criminal involvement. He asked which version the public should trust, given the starkly contrasting conclusions.
The Congress leader also questioned the absence of any probe by the central government, noting that the programme Garg attended in Singapore had been organised by the Indian government and the Indian Embassy. He said the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee has constituted a legal team to examine the case in detail, adding that accountability appears to be missing despite the seriousness of the matter. Gogoi further alleged that one of the key accused had received substantial payments over the years for events organised by government agencies, raising further questions that, he said, remain unanswered.
Meanwhile, the Assam cabinet recently approved the appointment of a panel of Special Public Prosecutors to pursue the case. The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting in Guwahati chaired by Chief Minister Sarma. Senior advocate Ziaul Kamar has been named Special Public Prosecutor, with Brojendra Mohan Chaudhuri appointed as Additional Special Public Prosecutor. Kishor Dutta, Pranjal Dutta and Vikash Jammar have been designated as Assistant Special Public Prosecutors. The cabinet also sanctioned an allocation of Rs 5 crore for the Zubeen Garg Memorial Trust.
In December 2025, seven accused linked to the case were produced virtually before the District and Sessions Court of Kamrup (Metro) in Guwahati. Zubeen Garg, widely regarded as one of Assam’s most influential cultural figures, passed away in Singapore on September 19, 2025, an event that continues to trigger political debate and public scrutiny.
