GUWAHATI, Oct. 22: Senior Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly, Debabrata Saikia has accused chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of creating confusion among people regarding the authenticity of the ongoing investigation into legendary singer Zubeen Garg’s ‘mysterious’ death.
“The recent stance taken by the chief minister regarding the mysterious demise of Zubeen Garg, has raised serious doubts. From his statements, it appears that the ongoing investigation by the special investigation team (SIT) may not be entirely transparent. The chief minister seems to have created confusion among the public regarding the authenticity of the probe into Garg’s death,” Saikia said while addressing the media here.
“We suspect that someone from the investigation team has been providing him with inside information. Initially, the chief minister had termed it a case of ‘murder.’ But later, he remarked that the facts, once made public, would take time for the people of Assam to digest. What exactly has the chief minister learned from the SIT that he is disclosing such things to people through the media,” the Congress leader asked.
He further questioned whether the chief minister himself was controlling the entire investigation process. “The Assam CID department was established back in 1922 during British rule and is staffed by highly trained officers. Then why was the Superintendent of CM Vigilance — formed in 1984 and under the Chief Minister’s direct control — appointed to the CID?” asked Saikia.
“If CM Vigilance officers are so competent, why not transfer them permanently to the CID?” he added.
The Congress leader also sought a probe into whether adequate security arrangements were made for the singer before he travelled to Singapore. “A few days ago, the chief minister had also said there were concerns about Zubeen Garg’s safety. If he was already aware of such a matter, it must be investigated whether adequate security arrangements were made for the artist before he travelled to Singapore,” he said.
Saikia pointed out that the North East Festival in Singapore was organised by the Indian High Commission under the initiative of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, and Zubeen Garg was one of its special guests.
“So, did the central government’s Overseas Indian Affairs Division monitor the artist’s safety and health issues,” he asked.
The Congress leader further questioned whether a magistrate or any official witness was present during the search operation at the residence of controversial businessman Shyamkanu Mahanta, and if the house was sealed, how Mahanta’s family was later able to reoccupy it.
Special Bench of HC
Meanwhile, Saikia has written to the Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court, requesting the constitution of a Special Bench of the High Court to supervise and monitor the investigation carried out by the SIT (CID) into Garg’s demise.
“The Special Bench may be empowered to monitor the progress of CID/CBI investigations, issue suitable directions to ensure procedural fairness and compliance with BNSS provisions, coordinate international assistance via MLAT or letters rogatory, and receive monthly progress reports to preserve public confidence and institutional integrity,” he stated.
Saikia recommended that the “state government may be advised to withdraw its notification dated October 3, 2025, constituting the one-man commission of inquiry, as its continuance risks duplication, conflict, and over-complication with the ongoing SIT/CID investigations, potentially leading to evidentiary issues and delays.”
He further recommended that the SIT be subsumed under a unified framework to eliminate overlaps with CID duties under Section 17 of the Assam Police Act, 2007.
