Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Saturday that lookout notices have been issued against North East India Festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta and singer Zubeen Garg’s manager, Siddharth Sharma, in connection with the singer’s death. Both have been directed to appear in Guwahati on October 6 to give their statements.
Garg tragically died on September 19 while swimming in Singapore, where he had traveled to perform at the North East India Festival. Addressing the public via Facebook Live, Sarma emphasized that Mahanta and Sharma must cooperate with the CID investigation after the conclusion of Durga Puja festivities. “If they fail to present themselves before the CID, they can approach the court,” he said.
The chief minister added that Mahanta’s bank accounts and credit cards have been frozen, limiting his ability to remain outside India. While the autopsy report from Singapore is awaited, the results of a second post-mortem conducted at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital are complete. Sarma also wrote to the Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court on Friday seeking the establishment of a judicial commission headed by a sitting judge to ensure transparency in the investigation.
He further stated that the case may be handed over to the CBI if Assam Police are unable to ensure justice. Sarma appealed to the public to remain calm and refrain from engaging in anti-government activities, cautioning against attempts to stir unrest similar to recent protests in Nepal.
Tensions escalated earlier this week when agitated fans of Garg reportedly stormed Sharma’s residence, threw stones at police vehicles, and, in one tragic incident, a distressed fan jumped off a bridge in Guwahati. During raids, both Mahanta and Sharma were not found at their homes, and reports suggest that Sharma’s family has also been missing since Garg’s death.
