Guwahati: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) and Crime Investigation Department (CID) of Assam on Friday carried out a raid at the residence of Shyamkanu Mahanta in Guwahati, as part of the ongoing investigation into the untimely demise of renowned singer Zubeen Garg in Singapore.
Mahanta, the chief organiser of the North East India Festival, was instrumental in coordinating Zubeen Garg’s participation in the event held in Singapore.
The raid was led by Rosie Kalita, Chief Investigation Officer of the SIT. It followed a series of coordinated search operations conducted earlier on September 25, during which the residences of Zubeen’s manager Siddharth Sharma, fellow musician Sekhar Jyoti Goswami, and Shyamkanu Mahanta were searched. Investigators seized several electronic items including a pendrive, hard disk, computer CPU, as well as documents and other materials considered relevant to the case.
The CID, Assam, has registered a case (No. 18/2025) under Sections 61(2), 105, and 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, citing suspicions surrounding Zubeen Garg’s death.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, addressing the media on Thursday, affirmed the government’s commitment to a thorough and transparent investigation. He announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team by Assam Police and stated that the case could be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) if necessary.
“If the people of Assam feel that the SIT has not done a proper job, we are open to transferring the case to the CBI,” Sarma said. “The SIT has been granted full independence to carry out the investigation professionally. Everyone who was present with Zubeen Garg in Singapore will be questioned.”
Zubeen Garg, a beloved figure in Assam and across India, passed away on September 19 in Singapore following an alleged drowning incident. His body was brought back to India and reached Guwahati on Sunday morning after first landing in New Delhi.
His last rites were performed on September 23 at his native village Kamarkuchi in Assam, witnessed by a massive gathering of fans, family, and dignitaries. Among those present were Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, and other political leaders. A gun salute was given in honour of the late singer.
Zubeen had travelled to Singapore to take part in the Northeast India Festival, where he was a key cultural representative.
