Assam CM calls Zubeen Garg’s death a ‘murder,’ SIT to file chargesheet by mid-December
Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma called the death of singer and cultural icon Zubeen Garg a “murder,” as investigations continue in both Singapore and Assam. He said the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case will submit its chargesheet by mid-December.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Sarma said he no longer viewed the incident as an accident. “I will not refer to Zubeen Garg’s death as a mishap. We need to submit the chargesheet in Zubeen Garg’s murder before December 17. I have set a target of December 8,” he said.
The Chief Minister added that since the case involves an incident abroad, the state police require approval from the Union Home Ministry before filing the chargesheet. “I have informed Home Minister Amit Shah so that the approval can be expedited. Once we get the clearance, we will file the chargesheet on December 8, 9, or 10,” Sarma said.
The SIT is investigating the case under sections related to criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and causing death by negligence, with murder charges later added.
So far, five people have been arrested, including Garg’s manager, the Singapore festival organiser, two of his bandmates, and his cousin who accompanied him to Singapore. Two of Garg’s personal security officers were also arrested separately for possessing alleged disproportionate assets under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The Singapore Police are conducting a parallel investigation under the Coroners Act, 2010. In a statement last month, they said preliminary findings “do not suspect foul play,” and noted that their investigation may take at least two more months to conclude.
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Businessman lured by FB friend, attacked for extortion in K'taka; 4 held
Madikeri (Karnataka) (PTI): Four people were arrested for allegedly assaulting, illegally confining and attempting to extort money from a 39-year-old businessman who was lured through a honeytrap set up on social media, police said on Monday.
The accused have been identified as Rachana, Malati, Darshan and Ravi.
Police said efforts are underway to nab the remaining suspects involved in the incident, which occurred on December 12 in Madikeri, the district headquarters of Kodagu.
According to the complaint, the victim, a resident of Maddur taluk in Mandya district, was befriended by a woman identified as Rachana through Facebook, who later sought financial assistance and received Rs 5,000 from him via PhonePe on November 28.
When he asked her to return the money, the woman allegedly asked him to travel to Mysuru or Kushalnagar, promising to meet him.
The police said the woman later called the victim to Madikeri on December 12 and took him to a house near the market area, where they spent some time and consumed alcohol in the evening.
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Later that night, citing an emergency, the woman left the house. After her departure, three men allegedly broke into the house and attacked the victim, assaulting him with a stick and the handle of a sword, causing injuries to his face, mouth, chest and leg, the FIR stated.
The complainant alleged that he was forcibly confined, stripped and a nude video of him was recorded. The accused also allegedly threatened him with a toy gun, demanding Rs 50 lakh and warning that the video would be uploaded on social media if the money was not paid.
Police said the victim was held captive and somehow managed to escape in the early hours of December 13. However, after he escaped, the accused allegedly attempted to kidnap him in an autorickshaw, an incident that was captured on CCTV cameras.
Based on his complaint at the Madikeri Town police station, a case was registered under Sections 310(2) (dacoity), 127(2) (wrongful confinement), 118(1) (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, a senior police officer said.
“Four accused, including two women, have been arrested. Efforts are on to nab two more absconding accused. Further investigation is on,” he added.
