NewKerala.com

Zubeen Garg Death Case: SIT to File 3,500-Page Charge Sheet This Week

The Assam Chief Minister has announced the SIT will submit its charge sheet in the Zubeen Garg case between December 6 and 12. This extensive document runs to nearly 3,500 pages and includes hundreds of witness statements. The state plans to request a fast-track court to speed up the trial process. The investigation is being treated as a murder case, contradicting the initial findings from Singapore.

Key Points: Assam CM Says SIT to File Zubeen Garg Death Charge Sheet

  • SIT to file a massive 3,500-page document ahead of the December 18 court deadline
  • Probe treats the case as murder, differing from Singapore Police's initial assessment
  • Charge sheet includes statements from nearly 300 people, including Garg's wife Garima
  • Seven individuals, including festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, remain in judicial custody
2 min read

SIT to file 3500-page charge sheet in Zubeen Garg's death case: Assam CM

Assam CM Himanta Sarma announces a 3,500-page charge sheet in Zubeen Garg's death case will be filed by Dec 12, with a fast-track court request planned.

"The charge sheet will be filed within the specified timeframe. - Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma"

Guwahati, Dec 5

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the death of Assamese singer Zubeen Garg will file its charge sheet between December 6 and December 12, well ahead of the court-mandated deadline of December 18.

Sarma said timely submission was “crucial” as any delay beyond the stipulated date could enable the accused to seek bail.

Speaking to reporters, the Chief Minister said the investigation had been completed, and the SIT had compiled nearly 3,500 pages of documents.

A meeting with the Advocate General was held to finalise the next steps, he added.

“The charge sheet will be filed within the specified timeframe,” Sarma said, noting that the state would also request a fast-track court from the Gauhati High Court to expedite trial proceedings.

The SIT, headed by Special DGP (CID) Munna Prasad Gupta, has been working intensively since Garg died in Singapore on September 19.

Investigating officer Rosie Kalita and a nine-member team reportedly worked till late at night over the past week to consolidate evidence, witness testimonies and forensic records.

Sarma reiterated that the probe treats the case as murder, diverging from the Singapore Police’s preliminary assessment, which did not indicate foul play.

The charge sheet will include statements from nearly 300 individuals, including complainants and Garg’s wife, Garima. It will also incorporate partial reports from Singapore Police and medical authorities, findings from Assam-based forensic experts, and accounts of those present at the North East India Festival, where the singer was supposed to perform before he accidentally passed away on a sea outing.

Seven individuals remain in judicial custody, including festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, manager Siddharth Sharma, Assam Police DSP and cousin Sandipan Garg, drummer Shekharjyoti Goswami, co-singer Amrit Prabha Mahanta, and PSOs Paresh Baishya and Nandeswar Borah.

Investigators are also probing alleged financial irregularities, including transactions exceeding Rs 1.1 crore in accounts linked to the PSOs.

With public sentiment running high over the death of the 52-year-old cultural icon, the state government maintains that the SIT will proceed strictly on evidence while ensuring the chargesheet withstands judicial scrutiny.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rahul R
A 3500-page chargesheet? That's massive. It shows the complexity. But I hope it's not just about volume but solid, irrefutable evidence. The Singapore police said no foul play, so our SIT must have very strong reasons to treat it as murder.
A
Aman W
The financial irregularities angle is concerning. Over 1.1 crore linked to PSOs? This case seems to have many layers. Was it really an accident or something more? The public deserves to know.
S
Sarah B
Respectfully, while I understand the public pressure, the investigation must follow due process. A chargesheet this large filed quickly before a deadline makes me wonder about the quality of analysis. Justice should be meticulous, not just fast.
K
Karthik V
His music was the soundtrack of our youth in the Northeast. Seeing his own cousin, a DSP, among the accused is shocking. Hope the CM's assurance that it will be strictly evidence-based holds true. No one should be above the law.
G
Garima (Fan)
As a fan from Guwahati, it's still hard to believe he's gone. The team worked nights to prepare this... thank you for the effort. We are all waiting for December 6-12. Joi Aai Axom! Zubeen da's legacy deserves truth.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50