Will SIT Submit a 3500-Page Charge Sheet in the Zubeen Garg Death Investigation?
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Guwahati, Dec 5 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, announced on Friday that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) looking into the circumstances surrounding the death of Assamese singer Zubeen Garg will present its charge sheet between December 6 and December 12, well before the court-imposed deadline of December 18.
Sarma emphasized that timely submission is essential, as any delays could allow the accused to apply for bail.
During a press briefing, the Chief Minister confirmed that the investigation has concluded, and the SIT has compiled nearly 3,500 pages of evidence.
A meeting with the Advocate General was conducted to finalize subsequent actions, he noted.
“The charge sheet will be submitted within the designated timeline,” Sarma stated, adding that the state plans to seek a fast-track court from the Gauhati High Court to accelerate the trial process.
The SIT, led by Special DGP (CID) Munna Prasad Gupta, has been diligently working since Garg's untimely passing in Singapore on September 19.
Investigating officer Rosie Kalita and her nine-member team have reportedly been working late into the night over the past week to compile evidence, witness statements, and forensic data.
Sarma reiterated that the investigation is treating the case as murder, differing from the preliminary assessment by the Singapore Police, which found no indications of foul play.
The charge sheet will include testimonies from approximately 300 individuals, including complainants and Garg's wife, Garima, alongside partial reports from the Singapore Police and medical authorities, insights from forensic experts in Assam, and accounts from attendees of the North East India Festival, where the singer was scheduled to perform before his tragic accident at sea.
Seven individuals remain in judicial custody, including festival organizer Shyamkanu Mahanta, manager Siddharth Sharma, Assam Police DSP and cousin Sandipan Garg, drummer Shekharjyoti Goswami, co-singer Amrit Prabha Mahanta, and PSOs Paresh Baishya and Nandeswar Borah.
Investigators are also examining alleged financial discrepancies involving transactions over Rs 1.1 crore linked to the PSOs.
Given the high public outcry regarding the death of the 52-year-old cultural icon, the state government assures that the SIT will act purely based on evidence, ensuring the charge sheet can withstand judicial review.