A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Gauhati High Court on Tuesday seeking an impartial and court-monitored investigation into the mysterious death of renowned Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, whose demise in Singapore last month has sparked widespread public concern.
The petition, filed by Abhijit Sharma and Palash Ranjan Baruah, alleged serious irregularities, potential criminal conspiracy, and misuse of official power surrounding the circumstances of Garg’s death. It urged the High Court to ensure that the ongoing investigation remains transparent, independent, and insulated from political or administrative influence.
A key concern raised in the PIL relates to the alleged involvement of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sandipan Garg, who attended the North East India Festival in Singapore, where Zubeen was scheduled to perform. The petition questioned whether the officer had formal approval or administrative sanction to participate in an event that was primarily cultural and commercial in nature, falling outside the scope of his official duties.
The petitioners argued that such participation could amount to a conflict of interest, calling for an independent inquiry to determine whether any official position was misused in connection with the event or its organisation.
The PIL also raised concerns about Shyamkanu Mahanta, the festival’s chief organiser and a figure with considerable political and bureaucratic influence in Assam. Mahanta is the younger brother of former Director General of Police Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta and the current State Chief Information Commissioner. The petitioners expressed apprehension that Mahanta’s connections could compromise the neutrality of the ongoing probe, urging the court to ensure judicial oversight to prevent any interference.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday confirmed that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax (IT) Department will soon begin investigating alleged financial irregularities linked to Mahanta. “The state government is in touch with both central agencies to ensure a professional and transparent investigation,” the Chief Minister said.
“I am confident that the ED and IT Department will look into the financial discrepancies connected to Shyamkanu Mahanta. We are working closely with them to make sure that no one involved in Zubeen Garg’s death can evade responsibility,” Sarma added.
The Chief Minister also remarked that Mahanta was known for cultivating influential networks, noting that “his primary job seemed to be taking photographs with various people.” Sarma said authorities have access to records of Mahanta’s travels, including a Bangkok trip, though he clarified that “those details are unrelated to this case.”
Zubeen Garg, one of Assam’s most celebrated cultural icons, died in Singapore on September 19 after what was initially reported as an accidental drowning. However, subsequent allegations of poisoning and conspiracy have led to a widening investigation involving multiple arrests, including that of Mahanta and other close associates of the late singer.
The High Court is expected to hear the PIL in the coming days, as public demand grows for accountability, transparency, and justice in a case that has deeply shaken Assam’s artistic and cultural community.
