Assam govt to conduct inquiry into singer Zubeen Garg's death: Himanta
Guwahati (PTI): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said his government would conduct an inquiry into singer Zubeen Garg's death.
The chief minister said that he has directed Director General of Police Harmeet Singh to transfer multiple FIRs lodged across the state over Garg's death to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and to register a consolidated case for a thorough investigation.
Sarma said that he has also spoken to Singapore High Commissioner in India, Simon Wong, and requested for a detailed inquiry into the circumstances leading to the singer's death.
The first FIR was lodged against North East India Festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta and the singer's manager Siddhartha Sharma at Morigaon police station, alleging that they (the accused), as a "part of a conspiracy, took Zubeen to a foreign country, on the pretext of singing but with the motive to kill him".
Since then, several FIRs have been filed across the state, he said.
"Multiple FIRs have been filed against Syamkanu Mahanta and Siddhartha Sarma in connection with the unfortunate and untimely demise of our beloved Zubeen Garg. I have directed the @DGPAssamPolice to transfer all the FIRs to the CID and to register a consolidated case for a thorough investigation," the CM said in a post on X.
"Assam Police will probe the death of Zubeen Garg and both Mahanta and Sharma, along with those who were present with the singer in his last moments, will be interrogated," Sarma told reporters.
There are reports that the singer was taken to a party the night before his death, and "we are also trying to ascertain its veracity", he said.
Garg died in Singapore on Friday, while "swimming in the sea without a life jacket".
"I spoke to the High Commissioner of Singapore, Simon Wong, and requested a detailed inquiry into the circumstances leading to the untimely demise of our beloved Zubeen Garg. He has assured me of complete cooperation in this regard," the CM said in another post on X.
Singaporean authorities have also started their investigation, and "as the place of occurrence was not India, we will get the criminal part, if any, from that country, and if he was taken from Assam with a wrong intent, we will get this aspect from the state", the CM said.
"The state government will impartially ascertain all aspects related to his death, and all arrangements will be made if anyone wants to give any information or be a witness," he said.
Sarma said that the matter should become absolutely clear to the people of the state so that nothing is hidden regarding the popular singer's death.
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High-level inquiry committee set up to probe fire in Rajdhani Express: Railway Board
New Delhi (PTI): The West Central Railway Zone has constituted a high administrative grade-level inquiry committee to investigate the fire on the Thiruvananthapuram Central-Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express on Sunday.
The fire erupted at 5.15 am in the B-1 passenger coach of the train between Vikramgarh Alot and Lunirichha stations under the Kota Railway division, one-and-a-half hours after it left the Ratlam Junction in Madhya Pradesh, according to an official. The fire also damaged the luggage brake and generator car behind the coach.
"The committee has been nominated by the general manager of West Central Railway (WCR). It comprises senior officers from the West Central Railway, Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, and RDSO (Research Designs and Standards Organisation)," the Railway Board said in a press note.
"Principal chief safety officer, WCR, has been appointed as the convener of the committee," it said, also mentioning other committee members such as principal chief electrical engineer, principal chief mechanical engineer, principal chief security officer from the WCR zone, and principal chief mechanical engineer from the Integrated Coach Factory, among others.
As per the provisions of the Accident Manual, the committee has been directed to complete the inquiry within the stipulated timeframe.
The Board stated that the committee will conduct a detailed examination of the causes of the incident, technical aspects and safety parameters so as to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future.
"Indian Railways remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of passengers and is taking all necessary measures in this regard," it added.
