What's Next for Zubeen Garg's Band Members After Judicial Custody?

Judicial Custody for Zubeen Garg's Band Members

Guwahati: Following the conclusion of their 14-day police remand, two members of Zubeen Garg's band, Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and Amritprava Mahanta, have been placed in judicial custody as of Friday. This decision comes in light of the ongoing investigation into the singer's tragic death in Singapore last month.

The pair was escorted to court and subsequently transported in separate police vehicles after the Kamrup Chief Judicial Magistrate ordered their remand. They are scheduled to appear in court again within the next two weeks.

Details regarding the specific prison where they will be held remain undisclosed, especially after recent unrest outside the Baksa District Jail, where five other suspects were taken earlier this week.

Goswami and Mahanta were apprehended on October 3 after extensive questioning by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which has arrested a total of seven individuals since October 1 in connection with the case.

Zubeen Garg tragically passed away while swimming in Singapore on September 19.

The SIT has also detained several others, including Shyamkanu Mahanta, the chief organizer of the North East India Festival, and Siddhartha Sharma, Garg's manager, along with his cousin Sandipan Garg and personal security officers Nandeswar Bora and Prabin Baishya. They were remanded to judicial custody on Wednesday.

The court expressed concerns for their safety, directing that they be placed in a facility with fewer inmates, leading to their transfer to Baksa District Jail.

A large crowd gathered outside the jail, protesting against the transfer of the accused, with some demanding public justice for Zubeen. In response, Assam Police resorted to lathicharge and teargas to disperse the crowd, which had reportedly attacked and set fire to vehicles in the convoy transporting the accused.

Authorities have imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of BNSS in Mushalpur town and surrounding areas, while internet and mobile services in Baksa district have been suspended until further notice.

The unrest resulted in injuries to several individuals, including police officers, journalists, and local residents.

In response to the incident, the Assam government has established a 10-member SIT to thoroughly investigate Garg's death in Singapore. Over 60 FIRs have been filed against Mahanta, Sharma, and others, prompting Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to instruct the DGP to consolidate these cases for a comprehensive investigation.