Guwahati, 16 January (HS): Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday questioned Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi’s remarks, alleging that he is attempting to portray the death of Zubeen Garg as a natural death rather than a case of murder.

The Chief Minister said that following the investigation, seven people have been arrested in the case, sent to judicial custody, and a chargesheet has already been filed. He questioned whether Gaurav Gogoi was dissatisfied with the arrests and the filing of the chargesheet. Dr. Sarma said Gogoi should instead have thanked the Assam Police, as they succeeded in doing what even the Singapore Police could not.

Dr. Sarma pointed out that while the Singapore Police have stated that Zubeen Garg’s death was due to drowning and not murder, the Assam Police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) has termed the incident a conspiracy-driven murder and has presented multiple pieces of evidence in support of its findings. In such a situation, he said, the Assam Police deserved praise, whereas Gogoi was attempting to do the opposite.

The Chief Minister further stated that the police and investigating agencies have carried out their duties strictly in accordance with the law and that action has been taken based on all available evidence. He also made it clear that the government would not interfere in the ongoing investigation process.

Following the statement, political exchanges over Zubeen Garg’s death have intensified, with the issue increasingly turning into a subject of political debate.--------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash