Sitting HC judge to head probe panel on Zubeen death

GUWAHATI: With four arrests so far, the Assam Police SIT escalating charges from negligence to potential murder, and international cooperation underway, Zubeen Garg’s death is no longer just about a tragic accident, it is evolving into a multi-jurisdictional criminal investigation .

Gauhati HC has now agreed to state govt’s request to form a judicial commission head ed by a sitting HC judge. Assam CM Himanta Sarma said the judicial panel, to be headed by Justice Soumitra Saikia, will be formed on Saturday. ED and I-T dept are likely to join the probe into alleged financial crimes linked to Shyamkanu Mahanta , the arrested chief organiser of North East India Festival in Singapore where Zubeen was scheduled to perform.

Over 60 FIRs have been filed across Assam demanding justice. Fans and civil society are pushing for transparency and accountability. Sarma Friday launched a counter-offensive against what he called a “coordinated conspiracy” to malign the govt using Zubeen’s legacy. “When he was alive, you didn’t invite him to perform in your areas. You brought Mumtaz from Bangladesh. ”

Meanwhile, Zubeen’s drummer Shekhar Goswami & co-singer Amritprabha Mahanta, who were arrested by SIT Thursday, were sent to 14 days custody.