Assam CM flags ‘conspiracy’ to keep Zubeen Garg drunk for financial exploitation
According to Sarma, investigators have found that Garg ‘was made to consume alcohol so that the simple man can be manipulated’
CM Sarma pays tribute to Garg at a blood donation camp marking the icon’s 53rd birthday in Khanapara on Tuesday. (Photo:@CMOfficeAssam/X)
Guwahati, Nov 18: With the Special Investigation Team (SIT) days away from submitting its chargesheet against seven accused in the circumstances leading to the death of cultural icon Zubeen Garg, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday alleged a deliberate conspiracy to keep the singer intoxicated for financial exploitation.
Speaking to reporters after donating blood on the occasion of Garg’s 53rd birth anniversary, Sarma said, “The inquiry has indicated that the singer was never into alcoholism and was made to consume alcohol by his close ones.”
According to the Chief Minister, investigators have found that Garg “did not like to drink but was made to consume alcohol so that the simple man can be manipulated”.
Sarma said this was allegedly done “to loot his finance and property”.
“The chargesheet will lay out these findings in detail once it is filed. Alcohol was not Zubeen’s identity. When people desired to use him, they made him get drunk,” he said, recounting that during his meetings with Garg, the singer “was never drunk”.
The Chief Minister criticised what he described as a “false narrative” glorifying alcohol as a way of paying tribute to the late musician.
“Many people after his death spread the idea that he should be paid homage through alcohol. That’s a complete lie. Garg’s legacy lies in his music and humanitarian work,” he said.
Sarma urged the youth to honour him through social contributions such as blood donation and planting his favourite nahor saplings.
The developments come on the day the Ministry of Home Affairs granted the long-pending sanction required under Section 208 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), a mandatory approval for prosecuting offences committed outside India.
The alleged crime took place in Singapore and without this clearance, the SIT had been unable to legally file the chargesheet.
With the sanction now approved, SIT chief Munna Prasad Gupta said the team is targeting December 10 to complete the chargesheet.
Investigators have already examined forensic evidence, obtained material from Singaporean authorities, and recorded statements from over 100 witnesses.
In the run-up to the filing of the chargesheet, today’s remarks mark Sarma’s second such disclosure. Earlier, at an event in Jamugurihat on November 3, the Chief Minister had described the events leading to Garg’s death as “murder”.