CM dubs Zubeen’s death ‘murder case’, eyes Dec-8 chargesheet after MHA nod
Sarma says his govt’s focus is on closure in Garg case before exposing Gaurav Gogoi’s alleged Pakistan link
A file image of CM Sarma paying his last respects to Zubeen Garg at his Samadhi, in Sonapur. (AT Photo)
Jamugurihat, Nov 3: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Monday, said that his government’s immediate priority is to ensure justice for late cultural icon Zubeen Garg, describing his death as a “murder case” and not merely an incident.
“Today, I will not address Zubeen Garg’s death as an incident but as a murder case,” Sarma said, adding that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case is prepared to file its chargesheet before December 17, with a target date of December 8.
“If something happens in a foreign land, we can file the chargesheet only after the Home Ministry’s approval. Yesterday, I met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and requested early clearance. I believe the SIT will soon write to the MHA, and once we get approval, we will immediately file the chargesheet; most likely by December 8,” the Chief Minister told the press.
Addressing questions over land allotment for Zubeen Khetra, Sarma clarified that the government had allotted 10 bighas for the Garg’s Samadhi, in keeping with a similar gesture made for Dr Bhupen Hazarika’s memorial.
“We have provided 10 bighas for Zubeen Samadhi, just as we did for Dr Bhupen Hazarika. We wanted to maintain parity between both their resting places by offering similar land size,” Sarma said, clarifying that he is not aware if Health Minister Ashok Singhal owns land in the area.
“Why should I check who owns land on either side of the khetra; that is not my responsibility,” he added.
Speaking at a cheque distribution event under the Mukhya Mantrir Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan (MMUA) in Jamugurihat, Sonitpur district, Sarma reiterated that the government’s focus remains on bringing closure to the Garg case before addressing other matters.
“Gaurav Gogoi is 100% a Pakistani agent. Our first priority is Zubeen Garg. If we jump to these things before filing the chargesheet, people will not be happy,” Sarma said, in reference to state Congress president Gaurav Gogoi, whom he accused of having links with Pakistan.
The Chief Minister said the government would reveal details of the alleged connection only after the SIT files its report.
“Even if we disclose the findings in January, it won’t change anything. If the enemy party demands it on the 10th, I will do it the next day. I’m not going to work as per our enemy,” he remarked.
Sarma’s comments come amid an ongoing political storm over his earlier claim that an SIT report contained “extremely damaging” details linking Gogoi to Pakistan.
Last month, he told the press that “a gist of the SIT report will soon be made public”, fuelling speculation about its contents.
The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) had hit back at the Chief Minister, accusing him of “concealing facts” and “misleading the public.”
Gogoi, too, dismissed the allegations, calling them “a desperate attempt to divert attention from the government’s failures” and branding Sarma “unfit to be Chief Minister.”
The state government has maintained that the SIT, which is investigating the circumstances leading to Garg’s death, will submit its chargesheet before the December-17 deadline.