Centre clears BNSS-208 sanction in Zubeen Garg case; SIT targets Dec 10 chargesheet
SIT chief Munna Prasad Gupta said that, if required, those questioned in the probe would be called back from Singapore for further interrogation
People from across the state offering prayers in Zubeen Kshetra at Sonapur on his 53rd birth anniversary (Photo: @ATULBORA2)
Guwahati, Nov 18: The long-awaited approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in the Zubeen Garg death probe was granted on Tuesday, announced Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Informing of the development on the late icon’s 53rd birth anniversary, Sarma said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had approved the sanction required under Section 208 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
Sarma added that Section 208 mandates prior Central government permission for Indian courts to take up crimes committed outside the country.
“If a crime is committed outside India, the case can be taken up by the court only after the Central Government gives prior sanction. This sanction is therefore a crucial legal step, allowing us to file charge sheet and move forward firmly and lawfully for trial of the case,” he stated.
The investigation had already taken a sharp turn earlier this month. On November 3, the Chief Minister publicly described Garg’s death as a “murder”, stating that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) had gathered sufficient grounds to move ahead.
According to prior statements made by Sarma, the team had completed almost all procedural steps; including receiving the post-mortem and toxicology reports from Singapore and thus waiting to file the chargesheet which cannot go without MHA approval.
Adding clarity to the legal process, SIT chief Munna Prasad Gupta said that, if required, those questioned in the probe would be called back from Singapore for further interrogation.
“There will be no issues because the necessary approval to take the trial forward has been granted. Since the case is still under investigation, if required, we shall again call them," he told the press.
Gupta further added that around 160 witnesses have been summoned for interrogation so far.
“It is a procedural section and to take a legal case forward, we require approval from competent authorities. We have sent much evidence to forensic and have also received reports from there,” he said.
Investigators have already arrested seven individuals, including North-East India Festival (NEIF) organiser Shymakanu Mahanta and Garg's manager, Siddhartha Sarma.
Adding to Chief Minister's reaffirmation on filing chargesheet after the approval, Gupta stated that the investigation is progressing steadily. “We are targeting to file the chargesheet within December 10,” he said.