Assam: A Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the death of singer Zubeen Garg has approached the Assam Police’s Crime Branch, seeking action against Independent MLA Akhil Gogoi for allegedly circulating “unverified” documents related to the case on social media, a senior official said on Friday.
According to officials, the SIT has termed the circulation of such documents as illegal, warning that it could mislead the public and create unnecessary confusion around the high-profile case. Gogoi, the MLA from Sivasagar, is accused of sharing documents online while claiming they were part of the official charge sheet filed against the accused in the singer’s death.
The nine-member SIT, headed by Special Director General of Police Munna Prasad Gupta, submitted its charge sheet before the Kamrup Chief Judicial Magistrate on December 12. However, legal sources pointed out that the court has not yet issued certified copies of the charge sheet to applicants, noting that the document has so far been made available only to the accused and their family members.
An official said the SIT’s investigating officer, Rosie Kalita, has formally lodged a complaint with the Crime Branch seeking registration of an FIR against Gogoi. The complaint is currently under examination, and a decision will be taken after due scrutiny.
Reacting to the development, Gogoi said in a social media post that he had learned about the case being filed against him for making the charge sheet public. He added that despite being unwell, he would travel to Guwahati to face the legal proceedings.
Earlier, the SIT chief had stated that several individuals, including singer Zubeen Garg’s secretary Siddhartha Sharma, festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, and band members Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and Amritprava Mahanta, have been charged with murder. Mahanta was the chief organiser of the North East India Festival in Singapore, which Garg had attended, and the singer later died under mysterious circumstances while swimming in the sea there on September 19.
Zubeen Garg’s cousin, suspended Assam Police officer Sandipan Garg, has been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Two personal security officers, Nandeswar Bora and Prabin Baishya, have been booked for criminal conspiracy and breach of trust related to alleged misappropriation of funds.
Apart from murder, Shyamkanu Mahanta has also been charged with criminal conspiracy, extortion, cheating and destruction of evidence. Garg’s secretary faces additional charges of criminal conspiracy and criminal breach of trust. Band member Shekhar Jyoti Goswami has been booked for breach of trust, while Amritprava Mahanta has been charged with destruction of evidence.
All accused have been arrested and are currently lodged in different prisons across the state, officials said.
