New Delhi: In a major development linked to the death of celebrated Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, Delhi police have arrested North East India Festival (NEIF) organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta and Siddhartha Sharma, the singer’s manager, in connection with the ongoing investigation.
According to officials, Mahanta was taken into custody upon his arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport from Singapore, while Sharma was picked up from a residence in Gurugram. Both were flown to Guwahati early Wednesday morning.
The arrests come amid a broader investigation led by a 10-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the Assam government, following Garg’s sudden death by drowning in Singapore on September 19. The SIT, headed by Special DGP M P Gupta, is looking into all aspects surrounding the circumstances of the incident.
Authorities had earlier issued notices to several individuals associated with the festival and those present in Singapore at the time of the incident. These included members of the Singapore Assam Association, as well as close aides of the singer.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had announced that Interpol lookout notices had been issued against both Mahanta and Sharma, instructing them to appear before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) by October 6. Their failure to do so reportedly prompted the arrests.
The probe continues as the SIT works to piece together a clearer picture of what led to the tragic death of the 51-year-old artist, whose loss has deeply shaken fans across Assam and beyond.
