The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Assam Police, which is probing the death of beloved singer Zubeen Garg, has taken a significant step by lodging a formal complaint with the Crime Branch against Sivasagar MLA and prominent activist Akhil Gogoi. The complaint accuses the legislator of circulating what it terms as "unverified documents" related to the official chargesheet on various social media platforms.
The Core of the Allegation
The nine-member SIT, led by Special DGP Munna Prasad Gupta, had submitted its chargesheet before the Kamrup (Metro) Chief Judicial Magistrate on December 12. The document outlines the case against seven individuals accused in connection with the singer's death. However, the SIT alleges that Akhil Gogoi posted documents online, claiming they were part of this official chargesheet, before the court had released certified copies to the public.
Police sources have confirmed that the complaint is currently under examination by the Crime Branch. A formal First Information Report (FIR) is yet to be registered, and further legal action will be determined based on the findings of this examination. A senior lawyer familiar with the case pointed out a crucial procedural detail: the court has not yet released certified copies of the chargesheet to applicants. At this stage, only the accused individuals and their immediate families are legally entitled to receive the document.
Political Reactions and the Accused's Response
Akhil Gogoi responded to the development on social media, stating, "I have come to know that the govt has filed a case against me for making the chargesheet public. I am severely ill, but I will go to Guwahati to face the case." His statement sets the stage for a potential legal and political confrontation.
The case has also drawn sharp comments from the opposition. Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi launched a strong attack on the state government, alleging motives beyond seeking justice. On social media platform 'X', he wrote, "Zubeen da's chargesheet is not about justice but it is about character assassination. The sole purpose of CM Himanta Biswa Sarma is to lower the reputation of Zubeen Garg in the eyes of the public." He further accused the Chief Minister of being willing to go to any extent, including blackmailing the late singer's family and supporters.
Details of the Chargesheet and the Accused
The SIT's chargesheet, now at the center of this controversy, names seven individuals. They face a range of serious charges:
- Zubeen's manager Siddharth Sharma, event organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, and band members Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and Amritprava Mahanta have been charged with murder among other offenses. Shyamkanu Mahanta additionally faces charges of criminal conspiracy, extortion, cheating, and destruction of evidence.
- Sandipon Garg, Zubeen's cousin and a suspended Assam Police officer, has been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
- The singer's Personal Security Officers (PSOs), Nandeswar Bora and Prabin Baishya, have been booked for criminal conspiracy and criminal breach of trust related to the alleged misappropriation of entrusted property.
All seven accused are currently in judicial custody. Five of them are lodged in Baksa jail, while the two band members are detained in Haflong jail. The SIT's complaint against Akhil Gogoi adds a new layer of complexity to a case that has already captured the public's attention across Assam and beyond, touching on issues of justice, privacy, and the use of social media in legal matters.
