Congress Party Denies Links with Advocate in Zubeen Garg Case
Clarification from APCC President
Guwahati, Oct 3: Gaurav Gogoi, the president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), has refuted claims connecting advocate Raj Kamal, who represented accused Shyamkanu Mahanta in the Supreme Court, to the Congress party. Gogoi emphasized that Raj Kamal has no ties to the party and condemned what he termed a 'deliberate misinformation campaign' aimed at misleading the public.
During a media briefing at the 91st birth anniversary celebration of former Chief Minister Hiteshwar Saikia in Sivasagar, Gogoi stated, 'Raj Kamal, the lawyer for Shyamkanu Mahanta, is not affiliated with the Congress party in any capacity. He is neither a member nor associated with us.'
He urged the public to question the origins of such misleading information and its intent.
Gogoi noted that Raj Kamal previously served as Deputy Advocate General during Captain Amarinder Singh's term as Punjab Chief Minister, who is now aligned with the BJP.
'If we wished, we could engage in such political tactics. However, our priority is not petty politics but seeking justice for Zubeen,' Gogoi asserted.
Reaffirming the party's position, he called for a comprehensive and timely investigation into the 'mysterious death' of Zubeen Garg.
He criticized the Assam Police for what he described as 'unacceptable delays' in apprehending the primary suspects, Shyamkanu Mahanta and Siddharth Sharma.
'Arrests should have been executed on the first day. Instead, delays may have compromised evidence. It took the police 13 days to recover Zubeen's mobile phone,' he remarked.
Gogoi also pointed out the arrests of fans and supporters of the late singer who protested peacefully.
'Zubeen's fans demonstrated peacefully, yet many were detained under severe charges like the NSA. We demand the immediate withdrawal of these charges against innocent supporters such as Victor Das and Ajay Phukan,' he urged.
Debabrata Saikia, the Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly, criticized the manner in which Assam Police apprehended Shyamkanu Mahanta in Delhi.
'According to Supreme Court guidelines, when police from one state arrest someone in another, they must involve local police and present the accused before a local magistrate for transit remand. This protocol was not followed, which the SC has labeled as lawlessness. Due process must be upheld,' Saikia stated.
In contrast, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma defended the Assam Police, asserting, 'Anyone can approach the Supreme Court—whether it's Shyamkanu Mahanta, Akhil Gogoi, or Debabrata Saikia. Even as Chief Minister, I cannot prevent that. However, I assure the public that Assam Police is a competent force. They have resolved numerous complex cases, and four individuals have already been arrested in this matter.'
In a display of solidarity, Congress leaders and supporters held candlelight vigils across Assam on Friday, advocating for justice for Zubeen Garg. Thousands gathered in Sivasagar, Nagaon, and Sonitpur districts, with prominent leaders including Gaurav Gogoi, Debabrata Saikia, Rakibul Hussain, Pradyut Bordoloi, and Ripun Bora leading the peaceful marches.
'We will persist with our peaceful protests and candlelight vigils throughout Assam until there is a swift investigation and justice for Zubeen,' Gogoi emphasized, highlighting that the demand for justice transcends political affiliations and belongs to the people of Assam.