Investigation into Zubeen Garg's Death: MLA Akhil Gogoi Faces Charges for Sharing Details

The investigation into the death of Assamese singer Zubeen Garg has taken a new turn as MLA Akhil Gogoi faces charges for allegedly sharing unverified details of the case on social media. Garg, who died during a yacht trip in Singapore, was set to perform at the North East India Festival. The Special Investigation Team has filed a chargesheet against several individuals, including murder charges. Assam's Chief Minister has claimed the death was a murder, contradicting initial police findings of no foul play. This article delves into the details of the case and the implications for those involved.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 19, 2025, 12:33 IST

Investigation Update on Zubeen Garg's Case

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) looking into the death of the celebrated Assamese singer Zubeen Garg has initiated a first information report against Raijor Dal MLA Akhil Gogoi. This action is due to his alleged dissemination of unverified information regarding the chargesheet on social media, as reported by a police official.

Zubeen Garg, a prominent figure in Assamese music, tragically passed away on September 19 during a yacht excursion in Singapore, just one day prior to his scheduled performance at the North East India Festival.

On December 12, the SIT submitted a chargesheet to a court in Guwahati, implicating four of the seven individuals arrested in the case with murder.

On Wednesday, Gogoi, who serves the Sivasagar Assembly constituency, posted on Facebook purported details of the charges against the accused individuals, claiming they were part of the SIT's chargesheet.

“I have learned that a case has been filed against me for publicizing the chargesheet related to Zubeen,” Gogoi stated on social media on Thursday. “Despite my serious illness, I will travel to Guwahati tomorrow to address the case.”

The event where Garg was meant to perform was organized by the Indian government and the Indian High Commission in Singapore, with assistance from the Assam Association and the North East India Association.

A death certificate issued by Singaporean authorities on September 20 cited drowning as the cause of Zubeen Garg’s death.

On October 17, the Singapore Police Force announced that preliminary investigations indicated no foul play in the singer’s death.

They noted that the investigation could extend for another three months, after which the findings would be presented to the State Coroner, who would decide if a Coroner’s Inquiry was necessary.

However, Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has consistently asserted that Zubeen Garg’s death was not accidental but rather a “plain and simple murder.”

The four individuals charged with murder include Shyamkanu Mahanta, the organizer of the North East India Festival, Garg’s manager Siddharatha Sharma, and two musicians who accompanied him on the yacht, Shekharjyoti Goswami and Amritprava Mahanta.

Additionally, Zubeen Garg’s cousin, Deputy Superintendent of Police Sandipan Garg, who was with him in Singapore, faces charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, while two of the singer’s personal security officers have been accused of criminal breach of trust.

Munna Prasad Gupta, the head of the SIT, revealed on December 12 that the main chargesheet comprises around 2,500 pages. When combined with supplementary documents, including bank statements, digital evidence, and forensic reports, the total reaches approximately 12,000 pages.