The Special Investigation Team (SIT) currently investigating the death of renowned singer Zubeen Garg has officially approached the Assam Police Crime Branch to initiate action against Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi. The independent legislator is accused of circulating “unverified” documents on social media, which he claimed were part of the formal chargesheet filed against the seven individuals implicated in the case. Law enforcement officials have characterized the dissemination of these materials as an illegal act that threatens to mislead the public and generate unnecessary confusion during a sensitive legal process.
Although the nine-member SIT, led by Special DGP Munna Prasad Gupta, submitted the official chargesheet to the Kamrup (Metro) chief judicial magistrate on December 12, the court has not yet released certified copies of the document. Legal experts familiar with the proceedings noted that while applications for certified copies have been submitted, the document has currently only been shared with the accused individuals and their immediate families. In response to the breach, SIT investigating officer Rosie Kalita filed a formal complaint with the Crime Branch seeking the registration of an FIR. Authorities are currently examining the complaint to determine the next course of legal action against the MLA.
Responding to the allegations via social media, Akhil Gogoi acknowledged the government’s move to file a case against him for making the chargesheet public. Despite stating that he is currently suffering from a severe illness, the MLA expressed his intention to travel to Guwahati to face the legal challenges personally. The controversy adds a new layer of complexity to a case that has gripped the region since Zubeen Garg died under mysterious circumstances while swimming in the sea during the North East India Festival in Singapore on September 19.
The SIT has already leveled grave charges against several individuals close to the late singer. Among those charged with murder are Garg’s secretary Siddhartha Sharma, festival organizer Shyamkanu Mahanta, and band members Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and Amritprava Mahanta. Shyamkanu Mahanta, who organized the Singapore event, faces additional charges including criminal conspiracy, extortion, cheating, and the destruction of evidence. Siddhartha Sharma also faces charges of criminal breach of trust alongside the murder allegation, while Goswami and Amritprava Mahanta are accused of breach of trust and destruction of evidence, respectively.
Other associates are facing varying degrees of criminal charges related to the singer’s passing and the handling of his estate. Sandipan Garg, the singer’s cousin and a suspended Assam Police officer, has been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Furthermore, Garg’s personal security officers, Nandeswar Bora and Prabin Baishya, are being booked for criminal conspiracy and breach of trust regarding the alleged misappropriation of funds or property. All seven accused individuals are presently in judicial custody, with five held in Baksa prison and two detained in Haflong jail as the legal proceedings continue.
