NEW DELHI: The Singapore Police Force (SPF) has shared a copy of the autopsy report and preliminary findings concerning singer Zubeen Garg’s death with the Indian High Commission, following his demise in Singapore last month. The handover was made at the request of Indian officials, and investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death are ongoing.
Authorities have urged the public not to circulate videos or images related to Garg’s passing to honor his memory.
Arrests Made by Assam Police
Earlier, the Assam Police arrested four individuals in connection with the case, including drummer Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, singer Amritprabha Mahanta, manager Siddharth Sharma, and festival organizer Shyamkanu Mahanta. Charges of murder have been filed against Sharma and Mahanta. Garg tragically drowned while swimming on September 19, the day before he was scheduled to perform at the Northeast India Festival in Singapore.
Musicians Goswami and Amritprabha were present during the incident and have been interrogated and subsequently arrested. Special DGP of Assam Police’s CID, Munna Prasad Gupta, stated, “We have interrogated musician Shekharjyoti and singer Amritprava, who were with Garg at the time of his death. Beyond this, I cannot share any further details.” An officer noted that evidence against the pair warranted their arrests.
Sharma and Mahanta have been charged under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) pertaining to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, criminal conspiracy, and causing death by negligence. Both are currently in police custody for a period of 14 days as investigations continue.
Second Post-Mortem Conducted in Guwahati
Gupta confirmed that the autopsy report from Singapore will be provided to Garg’s family once all formalities are complete. Regarding a second post-mortem conducted in Guwahati, authorities are awaiting the viscera report from the Central Forensic Laboratory in Delhi. “Once received, we expect the post-mortem report from Gauhati Medical College and Hospital to be finalized and available to us,” Gupta added.
Special Investigation Team Formed
In the wake of Garg’s death, Assam Police established a nine-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident. Gupta mentioned that the SIT is prepared to travel to Singapore to gather evidence, subject to approval from Singaporean authorities. The Indian government has invoked the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) with Singapore to facilitate cooperation in the investigation. Notices have been issued to members of the Assam Association Singapore and other individuals who possess knowledge about the events preceding Garg’s death.
“As this is a foreign nation, we cannot directly intervene. The notices were served through the Indian High Commission and the Singaporean authorities,” Gupta explained.
Financial Crimes Probe Against Event Manager
In addition to the investigation regarding Garg’s death, authorities are examining Shyamkanu Mahanta for alleged financial crimes, including acquiring benami properties through money laundering. Reports indicate that during raids at Mahanta’s residence on September 25 and 26, multiple PAN cards linked to the same firm, around 30 stamp seals from various companies and government officials, and documents connected to several benami properties were seized.
The CID has recorded over 60 FIRs in Assam against Mahanta and approximately 10 others, including Garg’s manager Siddharth Sharma, in connection with the singer’s death. Gupta emphasized that investigations are ongoing, and additional legal sections have been included in the FIR, such as Section 103 of the BNS, which addresses murder penalties.
Garg, who had traveled to Singapore for the Northeast India Festival, drowned on September 19, prompting comprehensive investigations by both Singaporean and Indian authorities.
