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Investigation into Zubeen Garg's Death

Guwahati, Sept 22: The Assam administration is preparing to send a Letters Rogatory to Singapore to gather evidence concerning the demise of the beloved cultural figure, Zubeen Garg.

During a press conference on Monday, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that a team from the Assam Police will soon travel to Singapore to collect the necessary evidence.

"We must follow a legal process. The Gauhati Court will issue a Letters Rogatory, allowing our team to visit Singapore. We anticipate their cooperation," he stated.

Letters Rogatory are formal requests made by one country's court to another for judicial assistance, typically for obtaining evidence or witness testimony.

This decision follows a revision in the schedule for Garg's final rites, which are now set for Tuesday. The government has opted for a new post-mortem examination before he is laid to rest at his memorial site in Kamarkuchi, Sonapur.

"We will conduct the fresh post-mortem at 7:30 am, which is expected to take about one to one-and-a-half hours. Afterward, we will return him to Sarusajai, and by 9:30 to 10 am, we will commence his final journey," the Chief Minister explained, noting that this decision has been approved by Garg's family.

"His family has also given their consent through Pabitra Margherita," Sarma added.

Despite acknowledging that a new autopsy might not be necessary after the one performed in Singapore, which he referred to as a "neutral country," he emphasized the need for it to avoid future controversies.

"We are proceeding with this for individuals like Akhil Gogoi to prevent any disputes later on," he remarked.

Sarma expressed skepticism about the necessity of a new report, highlighting Singapore's advanced capabilities in conducting autopsies. "The findings from Singapore are unlikely to be surpassed by our own," he noted.

On a personal note, the Chief Minister shared his admiration for Garg, stating he would prefer not to disturb the singer's body again.

"As a fan of Zubeen Garg, I would rather not see his body subjected to further procedures. However, as Chief Minister, I must make decisions based on the circumstances at hand," he stated.

‘Zero Tolerance for Disorder’

The Chief Minister also issued a firm warning to those who have attempted to disrupt public order in recent days.

"Starting from 2 pm tomorrow, any attempts to forcibly close shops or businesses will be met with strict action. This applies to anyone who disrespects Zubeen's legacy or engages in misconduct," he declared, adding that orders for immediate arrests have been put in place.

Referring to an incident on Monday night on Zoo Road, where individuals allegedly tried to vandalize a pharmacy, Sarma stated, "Those involved in illegal activities are under investigation, and actions will be taken based on the evidence collected."

In a strong statement, he emphasized, "Zubeen was an artist for the people, not a figure associated with delinquency."

He also urged the public to share any information regarding the events in Singapore on September 19 that led to Garg's passing. "Individuals making unverified claims on social media may be summoned for statements by the law," he cautioned.