Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma created a major stir in the state Assembly on Tuesday by asserting that renowned singer Zubeen Garg did not die by “accident” but was, in fact, “murdered.” The 52-year-old musician passed away on September 19 while swimming in the sea in Singapore.
Sarma made the statement during a discussion triggered by an adjournment motion moved by the opposition in the Winter Session of the Assam Legislative Assembly. He emphasised that the case did not fall under categories like “culpable homicide” or “criminal conspiracy,” and instead labelled it as a “plain murder.”
“It is a plain and simple murder,” Sarma declared, later sharing a video clip of his comments on his official X handle. The Speaker allowed the adjournment motion at the Chief Minister’s request, enabling the Assembly to take up the matter on the first day of the winter session.
In another development, the inquiry commission appointed to probe Garg’s death has extended its deadline to December 12 for gathering evidence and recording statements.
The panel—headed by Gauhati High Court judge Justice Soumitra Saikia—began collecting testimonies and documents on November 3, after being tasked by the state government to investigate all aspects surrounding the incident. The original deadline was November 21.
The commission is mandated to reconstruct the chain of events before and after Garg’s death and determine whether any negligence, misconduct, or institutional failures occurred. It will also examine whether “foul play, conspiracy, or unlawful acts” could have influenced or contributed to the tragedy.
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