In a significant development in the ongoing investigation into singer Zubeen Garg's untimely death, his former long-time manager Tarsame Mittal appeared before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Guwahati on Friday to record his official statement.
Key Developments in the Investigation
The questioning session marked nearly 50 days since the popular artist's sudden demise in Singapore. Mittal's deposition comes as part of the thorough probe being conducted by the state-government-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT), which has been systematically interrogating several individuals connected to Garg's professional circle.
Investigators are particularly examining potential financial and managerial irregularities that surfaced following the singer's death. The probe has revealed intricate professional relationships within Garg's management team that could provide crucial insights into the case.
Management Shake-up and Connections
Mittal, who had managed Garg's professional affairs for an extended period, was eventually replaced by Siddharth Sharma, who is currently in judicial custody. Investigators have uncovered that Sharma entered Garg's management circle through a direct recommendation from Mittal, and the two shared a close professional relationship.
This connection between the former and current managers is considered vital to understanding the financial dealings under scrutiny. The SIT believes Mittal's testimony could provide essential pieces to complete the puzzle surrounding the circumstances of Garg's death and the alleged irregularities in his financial management.
From Mysterious Death to Murder Investigation
The case took a dramatic turn when Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma declared that Garg's death would be treated as a murder case rather than a misadventure. This significant development came after the Singapore death certificate listed "drowning" as the cause of death when the artist passed away on September 19 during a visit as brand ambassador for the North East India Festival.
The Assam government had initially formed the SIT on September 25 to investigate the case. Chief Minister Sarma has set a strict deadline of December 8 for the SIT to submit its chargesheet. However, because the incident occurred on foreign soil, approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is required before formal charges can be filed.
The comprehensive investigation now encompasses both the events leading up to the singer's tragic death and alleged irregularities in his financial and managerial domains. The SIT's primary objective is to determine whether negligence, criminal conspiracy, or other serious lapses played any role in this case that the Chief Minister has officially described as a homicide.
As the probe intensifies, Mittal's deposition represents a crucial step forward in uncovering the truth behind the beloved singer's untimely demise and ensuring accountability in what has become one of Assam's most high-profile investigations.
