GUWAHATI, Oct 8— Assam Police officer Sandipan Garg, a cousin of late singer Zubeen Garg, was arrested on Wednesday in connection with the artist’s death in Singapore last month, officials said. This marks the fifth arrest in the ongoing investigation.
Confirming the development, CID Special DGP Munna Prasad Gupta told PTI, “We have arrested Sandipan Garg. Now, we are doing the necessary legal formalities.”
Sandipan, who serves as a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in Assam, had reportedly been questioned multiple times over the past few days. According to senior officers, he was present with the singer at the time of the alleged drowning incident that led to Garg’s death.
“Our team has taken him to court. We will seek police remand,” another official said.
Before Sandipan’s arrest, four others — Shyamkanu Mahanta, the chief organiser of the North East India Festival; Siddharth Sharma, Zubeen’s manager; and two of the singer’s band members, Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and Amrit Prabha Mahanta — had already been taken into custody. All four are currently in police custody, the CID confirmed.
Zubeen Garg, one of Assam’s most celebrated singers and composers, died on September 19 in Singapore while swimming in the sea. He had travelled there to attend the 4th edition of the North East India Festival, an event organised by Mahanta and his company.
The sudden death of the 52-year-old singer — known for chartbusters such as Ya Ali, Pakeeza, and O Bideshi Bondhu — sent shockwaves across the music world and among his fans in India and abroad.
Authorities have not yet disclosed further details about Sandipan Garg’s role or possible charges. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death remains ongoing.
Read more: Zubeen Garg Probe Stalled Without Help From Assamese in Singapore, says Assam CM
