GUWAHATI, Oct. 24: The two-member delegation of Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Assam CID returned here after concluding their three-day visit to Singapore as a part of the ongoing probe into the mysterious death of legendary singer Zubeen Garg.
Briefing mediapersons at the CID, Assam headquarters here on Friday, CID Special DGP Munna Prasad Gupta, who is heading the Special Investigation Team (SIT), said the delegation met the Indian High Commissioner in Singapore on October 21 and held discussions on the mutual legal assistance sought from the country.
“On October 21, we met a five-member team of high-level officers of SPF and the meeting was very successful. Facts regarding the probe (which is also being conducted by SPF) into the case were discussed. The post mortem report was shared through the Indian High Commission. We have sought time-bound legal assistance in the case and their response was positive,” Gupta said.
“Other legal aspects of the probe were discussed with the Singapore police authorities and all necessary facts required for the SIT probe in the case have been acquired. We also visited the place of occurrence (where the singer died during the yacht trip to an island on September 19),’ the SIT head said.
It may be recalled that the SPF had, a few days back, released a media statement informing that the probe findings of the SPF would be submitted to the State Coroner in Singapore within 90 days.
The State Coroner in Singapore will then determine whether to hold a Coroner’s Inquiry (CI), which is a fact-finding process led by a Coroner, who is a Judicial Officer of the Courts, to establish the cause and circumstances of death. Its findings will be made public upon conclusion.
Regarding the acquisition of CCTV footage of the hotel where the singer had stayed during his visit to Singapore last month, Gupta said the CCTV footage would be accessed through SPF only and as per Singapore law. “The SPF authorities have assured that within 10 days they would communicate with us in this regard,” he said.
Asked whether the SIT could record the statement of the Singapore citizen (who was with Zubeen during the yacht trip), the SIT head said that there are more Singapore citizens whose statements are being recorded by the SPF, and the same would be communicated to the SIT within 10 days.
Gupta however chose not to divulge any more details in the interest of the ongoing investigation.
“I cannot disclose anything further as the investigation is underway. SIT will submit a chargesheet before the court after completion of the probe,” he said.
Gupta was accompanied by Titabor Co-District superintendent of police Tarun Goel, for a three-day visit to Singapore as part of the investigation from Monday.
Meanwhile, the statements of legendary singer’s wife, Garima Saikia Garg, along with Zubeen’s sister Palmee Borthakur, were also recorded by the SIT at the CID headquarters on Friday.
“Over 70 persons have given their statements in the case so far. I also appeal to people who might have had communication with Zubeen Garg six to seven days before his death, to also come here and share what they have to with the SIT,” Gupta said.
