Sandipan Garg is currently posted as deputy superintendent (law and order) for Kamrup district.
The Assam police have made another breakthrough in the investigation of singer Zubeen Garg’s death in Singapore. On Wednesday, a special investigation team (SIT) of the state CID arrested Sandipan Garg, a cousin of the late singer and a police officer, in connection with the tragic swimming incident that took place last month. Sandipan Garg is currently posted as deputy superintendent (law and order) for Kamrup district.
Sandipan Garg had traveled to Singapore along with Zubeen Garg and was present when the 52-year-old singer, composer, poet, actor, and filmmaker died while swimming on September 19. Following four days of questioning by the CID, he was arrested on Wednesday.
The Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) of Kamrup-Metropolitan district sent him to seven days of police custody.
“Today, we arrested Sandipan following his interrogation. Since an investigation is underway, I can’t reveal more than that. He will be produced in court and we will seek police custody,” said MP Gupta, Special DGP (CID), Assam Police, heading the 10-member SIT.
This marks the fifth arrest in the case. Earlier, the CID had arrested:
All four remain in CID custody as investigations continue.
The case began after Zubeen Garg died during a yacht party organised by Assamese NRIs in Singapore under suspicious circumstances. Initially, the CID registered a case for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, criminal conspiracy, and death due to negligence.
After interrogating the first four arrested individuals, the CID added murder charges to the case.
Apart from the murder investigation, the CID registered a separate case against Shyamkanu Mahanta for alleged financial irregularities. Authorities recovered multiple seals and other incriminating documents from his residence in Guwahati.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that central agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Income Tax (IT) department, are expected to conduct raids at Mahanta’s office and home in Guwahati.
Sandipan Garg will be produced in court, and the CID is expected to seek further police custody to continue questioning. Investigators are examining all angles, including the involvement of other individuals present at the yacht party and possible financial motives behind the suspicious circumstances of Zubeen Garg’s death.
The SIT continues to work on leads to uncover the full details of the case.
