Zubeen Garg (L) and Himanta Biswa Sarma (R).
Credit: PTI Photos
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma On Tuesday said in the Assembly that singer Zubeen Garg's death while swimming in the sea in Singapore is a case of "plain and simple murder".
The special investigation team (SIT) that has been probing into the circumstances of Garg's death have added murder charges to the case.
Sarma was speaking in the Assembly during a discussion under an adjournment motion moved by the opposition on the singer's death.
The motion was allowed by the Speaker at the request of the chief minister.
"After preliminary probe, the Assam Police was sure that it was not a case of culpable homicide, but it was a plain and simple murder," Sarma said.
"That is why, section 103 of BNS was added to the case within three days of his death," he added.
The SIT under the CID of the state police has so far arrested seven people, examined 252 witnesses and seized 29 items in connection with the case, he said.
"One of the accused killed Garg and others helped him. Four to five people are being booked in the murder case," Sarma claimed.
"After the chargesheet in the murder case is submitted in December, the probe will be expanded to include negligence, criminal breach of trust and other aspects," he added.
Sarma, who is also the state's home minister, claimed that the SIT will file a "watertight chargesheet, and the motive behind the crime will shock the people of the state".
Garg, who was known for his soulful voice and ability to blend various musical genres, has been a beloved figure in the Indian music scene, particularly in Assam, where he is hailed as a cultural icon.
Garg had died while swimming in the sea in Singapore on September 19. A commission headed by a sitting judge of Gauhati High Court was constituted by the Assam government to inquire into the facts and circumstances leading to the unfortunate death of Zubeen Garg in Singapore.
With PTI inputs