The Assam Police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the mysterious death of Assamese cultural icon Zubeen Garg has received a pivotal piece of evidence: the viscera report from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in New Delhi.
The iconic singer died on September 19 after reportedly drowning while swimming during a yacht party in Singapore. The toxicology findings within the viscera report are now expected to shed light on whether any toxic substance or poisoning may have contributed to his demise.
Additional Director General of Police (CID) and SIT chief Munna Prashad Gupta confirmed on Saturday that the report has been forwarded to the expert panel of doctors at Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) who conducted the singer’s postmortem. This panel will now prepare the final postmortem report, which will be submitted to the court and shared with Zubeen Garg’s family.
International Cooperation and Arrests
Gupta further confirmed that the investigation is progressing rapidly, with seven people arrested so far and currently in police custody. Those arrested include the main event organiser of the Singapore festival, Zubeen Garg’s manager, a bandmate, a co-singer, his cousin who is a suspended Assam Police DSP, and two of his personal security officers.
Addressing the complexities of a cross-border investigation, the ADGP informed that a Mutual Legal Assistance Request (MLAR) has been formally sent to Singapore via the central government, and the request is currently under consideration by the concerned authorities in that country.
The MLAR is a formal diplomatic request for cooperation in a criminal investigation and is necessary to gather evidence abroad. Gupta reiterated that evidence collection in Singapore will be carried out by Singaporean authorities in accordance with international legal norms, stressing that SIT officers cannot independently conduct probes in the foreign country.
Notices were also issued to several individuals in Singapore who were present at the yacht party. Gupta confirmed that one of these individuals has already appeared before the SIT to record a statement, while the cooperation of others is being pursued.
The SIT chief affirmed that all aspects of the case are under investigation, and the police team remains hopeful of submitting the chargesheet within the stipulated legal timeframe.