HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Oct 14: In a bid to maintain transparency and build public trust in the ongoing investigation into the death of Assam’s cultural icon and singer Zubeen Garg, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the CID on Tuesday convened a meeting with senior journalists, intellectuals, doctors, and eminent citizens at its headquarters here.
The meeting, held around 4 PM, aimed to brief the participants on the progress of the investigation and to gather constructive suggestions from them.
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The SIT, which is probing Garg’s death while swimming in the sea in Singapore on September 19, has assured of filing a strong, evidence-based chargesheet within 90 days.
Veteran actor Pranjal Saikia, who attended the meeting, informed that the SIT has so far recorded statements of over 50 people connected to the case and that three Assamese expatriates based in Singapore — Sushmita Goswami, Debojyoti Hazarika, and Pratim Bhuyan — will appear before the team on Wednesday.
After their deposition, only one of the 11 Assam-origin individuals summoned will remain, who is also expected to appear soon.
Saikia said, “The SIT is determined to ensure that no one found guilty will be allowed to walk free.”
Senior journalist Atanu Bhuyan, who was among the attendees, stated that nearly 90 per cent of the information shared was already known to the public, with a few new details presented during the meeting.
He confirmed that the post-mortem report would not be disclosed, as it is meant for submission before the court.
Bhuyan revealed that Singaporean authorities, through India’s Ministry of Home Affairs, have sought the names of Assam Police officials to be deputed for investigation in Singapore.
The list of officers has already been sent by the CID.
“The Singapore police are conducting their own inquiry and recording statements of witnesses there,” Bhuyan said, adding that the SIT is investigating all angles, including possible negligence and the circumstances surrounding Garg’s final hours.
The SIT also informed attendees about indications of financial irregularities involving North East India Festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, who has been arrested in connection with the case.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is reportedly examining the matter separately. Along with Mahanta, six others have been arrested.
Doctors Hitesh Baruah and Subhrakingkore Goswami, journalists Sanjib Phukan, Atanu Bhuyan and Sibanu Borah, and actor Pranjal Saikia attended the session.
The invite was also extended to several other intellectuals and writers, many of whom declined due to prior engagements or concerns about maintaining neutrality in the ongoing probe.
Bhuyan added that the participants recommended appointing a nodal officer to share verified updates with the media and curb misinformation.
He said the meeting gave him confidence in the investigation, though “assumptions” should not be made before the report is submitted to court.
Officials reiterated that the post-mortem findings have not been shared with anyone and that the investigation is being carried out strictly under legal supervision.
The SIT said it has compiled videos showing Garg swimming up to his final moments and has gathered key leads regarding his movements before the yacht trip.
Actor Pranjal Saikia expressed optimism that the SIT’s transparent approach and the cooperation of witnesses would ensure justice.
“The investigation is on the right track. The guilty will not be spared,” he reiterated.
The meeting, observers said, reflected the government’s effort to uphold transparency and public confidence in the high-profile investigation as it moves into its final phase. (With inputs from PTI)
