In a significant development in the murder investigation of beloved Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has informed a court that the prime accused, the singer's former manager, invested over one crore rupees siphoned from Garg into a packaged drinking water business. This financial misappropriation is now cited as a primary motive behind the premeditated killing.
Court Petition Reveals Key Financial Motive
The revelation came to light during a hearing at the Kamrup (M) sessions court on Saturday. Dr Rosie Kalita, the chief investigating officer of the SIT, submitted a petition seeking the attachment and forfeiture of a specific property: the Mahabir Aqua Water Plant located in the Chatabari Industrial Area of Chaygaon.
The petition argued that the prime accused, Siddharth Sharma, invested Rs 1.10 crore in this plant using money allegedly misappropriated from Zubeen Garg. The SIT asserted that this substantial financial fraud formed one of the core reasons Sharma planned the murder of his employer.
Court Orders Accused to Show Cause
Judge Gautam Baruah, after considering the SIT's submissions, issued notices to Siddharth Sharma and his business partner, Chetan Dhirasaria. The notices demand they show cause as to why their property, the water plant, should not be attached by the court. The judge has set a deadline of January 17 for their reply.
In his order, Judge Baruah noted the SIT's firm conclusion. "The amount invested by Sharma in 'Mahavir Aqua' was investigated thoroughly and it has been found that the said amount has been acquired from the money misappropriated from his employer late Zubeen Garg," the order stated. It further emphasized, "It was one of the prime motive of accused Siddharth Sharma to premeditate the murder."
Modus Operandi of Money Laundering Exposed
The court order detailed the elaborate methods Sharma allegedly used to launder the illicit funds. The SIT investigation found that Sharma, who was a salaried employee earning Rs 57,000 per month until November 2022, suddenly amassed crores for investment.
The key methods identified include:
- Routinely accepting show fees in cash and deliberately avoiding official bank deposits.
- Using benami transactions and laundering money through several individuals, including employees and relatives.
- Giving cash to associates to deposit into his bank accounts to legitimize the illicit funds.
The judge's order stated, "The IO has submitted that prime accused Siddharth Sharma had borne his modus operandi to launder and legalize his ill-gotten money siphoned from his employer." The SIT has backed its claims with a forensic audit and financial analysis conducted by an empanelled chartered accountant firm, scrutinizing Sharma's bank transactions and investments.
The SIT's petition warned that without an immediate attachment order, Sharma and his partner might liquidate the water plant's assets. This would potentially frustrate any future court order for compensation to the victim's family, underscoring the urgency of the legal action.
