NATIONAL: Crores Found in Security Staff Accounts in Zubeen Garg Death Case
The sudden passing of Assamese music icon Zubeen Garg in Singapore last month has gripped the nation, fueling whispers of foul play amid fresh financial revelations.
As investigators dig deeper, questions swirl around suspicious transactions and delayed aid that could rewrite the story of his final hours.
Fans and officials alike grapple with the loss of a voice that defined a generation, now tangled in a web of intrigue.
Unraveling the Final Moments
Zubeen Garg, 52, breathed his last on September 19 while on a yacht outing near St. John’s Island.
What began as reports of a drowning during swimming has evolved into a probe laced with darker possibilities.
Authorities now examine whether external factors hastened his end, drawing from eyewitness accounts and forensic leads.
Initial accounts described a routine dip turning tragic, with Garg pulled from the water unresponsive.
Yet, as details emerge, the focus sharpens on those closest to him during the trip.
The Northeast India Festival, where he was set to perform, now stands as a backdrop to potential oversights.
Poisoning Claims Rock the Circle
Bandmate Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, who shared the yacht with Garg, has leveled explosive accusations against manager Siddharth Sharma and festival organizer Shyamkanu Mahanta.
In statements to the Special Investigation Team, Goswami claimed the duo may have poisoned Garg, staging the scene to mimic an accident in a foreign land for easier cover-up.
Garg, an expert swimmer who trained his companions, could hardly have succumbed to drowning alone, Goswami insisted.
These claims prompted murder charges against Sharma and Mahanta, both now in custody alongside Goswami and co-singer Amritprabha Mahanta.
Financial Trails Lead to Security Inner Circle
In a parallel twist, the SIT uncovered transactions totaling about Rs 1 crore flowing through accounts of two personal security officers over recent years.
Head constable Paresh Baishya and constable Nandeshwar Bora, assigned to protect Garg, now face scrutiny over these funds, initially linked to charitable distributions on his behalf.
Investigators probe whether the money ties into broader motives, especially around the festival’s dealings.
No direct foul play is confirmed yet, but the scale prompts questions about undue influence in Garg’s circle. Both officers have been suspended pending deeper review.
Government Pushes for Deeper Scrutiny
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma voiced the state’s resolve to chase every angle, urging the Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax Department to audit financial irregularities tied to the event.
“We cannot let shadows linger over Zubeen’s legacy,” he stated, emphasizing a holistic probe including viscera results expected soon.
Under a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, Singapore shares autopsy findings, which ruled out immediate foul play but left room for inquiry.
A judicial commission led by Justice Soumitra Saikia oversees the process, aiming for transparency amid public outcry.
Path to Clarity Amid Grief
As arrests mount and witnesses like Rupkamal Kalita prepare to testify, the case tests bonds of trust in Assam’s cultural scene.
Garg’s cremation drew thousands, a testament to his unifying spirit, but unresolved doubts linger.
Will forensic truths or money trails unlock the full story? For now, the rhythm of justice plays on, echoing the melodies he left behind.