Daijiworld Media Network - Guwahati

Guwahati, Oct 15: In a significant development in the mysterious death case of iconic Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, a local court in Guwahati has sent five accused to 14-day judicial custody after the completion of their CID remand.

The accused include Northeast Festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, his manager Siddhartha Sharma, police officer and cousin Sandipan Garg, and his two bodyguards, Nandeswar Bora and Paresh Baishya. They have been lodged in the newly constructed district jail at Baksa, around 100 km from Guwahati, amid safety concerns as many inmates could be ardent fans of the late singer.

Public Prosecutor Pradip Konwar confirmed that the court has directed the authorities to ensure the safety and security of the accused in judicial custody. “No bail plea has been filed on behalf of any of the five accused. The court has also instructed that legal aid be provided as per law,” he stated.

The five were earlier under the custody of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by Special DGP Munna Prasad Gupta, which continues to probe the high-profile case.

Meanwhile, two other suspects — Garg’s bandmate Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and co-singer Amir Prabha Mahanta — remain in CID custody and will be produced before the court on October 17.
Officials revealed that a separate financial case has also been registered against Mahanta.

Zubeen Garg, who was one of the most celebrated voices in the Northeast, tragically drowned while swimming during a yacht party in Singapore on September 19. Investigators have so far recorded the statements of nine of the eleven individuals who had accompanied the singer on the trip, with one more expected to join the probe soon.

The incident has sparked widespread grief and speculation across Assam and beyond, as fans continue to seek justice for the late music legend who left an indelible mark on Indian music.