HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Oct 6: Mounting pressure on Northeast India festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta who has been in police custody for his alleged role behind the untimely demise of Zubeen Garg, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday announced that the two central agencies—Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax (IT) department would probe allegations of financial irregularities against Mahanta.
Talking to reports here, Sarma said, “I am confident that central agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Income Tax Department (IT) will also examine the financial discrepancies linked to Shyamkanu Mahanta. We are already in touch with these agencies to ensure a thorough and professional inquiry. Our goal is to make sure that no individual connected to Zubeen Garg’s death is able to evade accountability.”
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The Chief Minister also said that Shyamkanu Mahanta used to click pictures with influential persons and if all the pictures from his mobile are made public, it will create unnecessary chaos in the ongoing probe.
“The primary work of Shyamkanu was to click pictures with many individuals. I believe if all the pictures from his mobile phone are made public, it will have photographs of many individuals ranging from politicians to journalists. We have the list of many individuals travelling to Bangkok with Shyamkanu; however, this has no relevance with the probe of Zubeen Garg’s death,” Sarma said.
Meanwhile, the CM mentioned that one of the Assamese residents in Singapore, Rup Kamal Kalita, is expected to reach Guwahati on Tuesday to assist in the current investigation into iconic singer Zubeen Garg’s death.
“I hope the others will also return soon. Some of them are still reluctant to come back and join the investigation, but we are maintaining pressure. Their statements are crucial to conclude the inquiry at the earliest,” Sarma said.
He further explained that Assam Police would not be travelling to Singapore for the investigation, as they have no jurisdiction in another country.
“The central government has already activated the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) between India and Singapore. Under this agreement, Singaporean authorities will share with us the findings of their investigation into Zubeen Garg’s death,” the Chief Minister added.
The CID had issued notices to eight Assamese NRIs based in Singapore, who had organised a yacht party for Zubeen Garg and were present when the incident took place, to appear before it to record their statements related to the case.
The deadline of the notices expired on Monday and except Rup Kamal Kalita, no other persons who received summons to appear before the CID has not responded yet.
According to sources, the state government will take strict measures like cancelling of passports of NRIs in Singapore if they chose not to cooperate in the death probe of Zubeen Garg.
