Zubeen Garg's cousin, Assam Police DSP Sandipan Garg, arrested in singer's death case

Zubeen Garg’s cousin, Assam Police DSP Sandipan Garg, was arrested on Wednesday in connection with the late singer’s death. This is the fifth arrest in the case.

Earlier, North East India Festival chief organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, the singer's manager Siddharth Sharma, and his two band members—Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and Amrit Prabha Mahanta—were apprehended.

"We have arrested Sandipan Garg. Now, we are doing the necessary legal formalities," CID Special DGP Munna Prasad Gupta was quoted as saying by PTI.

The apprehended police officer was reportedly interrogated several times in the last few days over the singer's death in Singapore last month.

Sandipan Garg, a deputy SP and a cousin of the singer, was present with him at the time of his death.

"Our team has taken him to a court here. We will seek police remand," another senior officer told PTI.

The four others, who were arrested earlier in connection with the case, are now in police custody.

Garg’s wife, Garima Saikia Garg, and his sister, Palme Borthakur, on Tuesday voiced anguish over the circumstances surrounding the late singer’s death in Singapore last month and demanded justice.

In a post on her Facebook page, Garima wrote, "...we will be together again, very soon Goldie (the name by which Garg was called by the family). But now, very soon, I/we all want to know the reason why you went away physically from us...Why? This is a big question. This question is burning my empty heart day and night. I want an answer..."

Borthakur, in her social media post, said, "You will again call me 'Momon' (her pet name)....when we meet on the other side... now we have only one goal... to ensure justice for you." She urged people to provide mental support and help the family secure justice for her brother.

Family demands answers; denounces politics
Speaking to mediapersons, Garima revealed that the family does not want "any kind of politics or distraction but just want to know the truth and that will be justice for him. Things are moving in so many directions and we are not feeling good about it."

She made the comments at the location of Garg's last film, Roi Roi Binale, scheduled for release on October 31. Work had resumed on the song sequences the singer had planned to shoot after returning from Singapore. "Not knowing what exactly happened to him during his last moments is hurting me day and night. He gave so much love to everyone and we also had kept him wrapped in love and respect. But then, why did he have to die neglected?" she asked.

Garima also expressed frustration over members of the Assam Association in Singapore, who were with Garg during his final moments, not cooperating with the investigation. "Why are they not cooperating? Don't they have any humanity and values left?" she questioned. "We have lost a person who was Zubeen Garg... He is just not my husband but the world has recognised him. Why are they not saying anything?"

The family reiterated their primary concern: understanding why the incident happened. Garima added that they have full faith in the ongoing investigation. "It is progressing well but we just want it to end soon and we get justice," she said.

Borthakur, also present at the film location, appealed to those who were with "Dada (elder brother) in Singapore to come to Assam and say what happened to him in his last moments. We want to know everything." She added, "There is no point in giving different angles to his death. Tell us the truth so that we know what happened and Dada gets justice."

Regarding Roi Roi Binale, Garima said it was Garg's "dream film....a completely musical love story of a blind singer which he had planned for many years and has parallels to his life and music." She added that the team would try to release it on October 31 and that post-production work is underway.

Zubeen Garg death: The investigation so far
On October 4, Garima returned the second post-mortem report conducted at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital to the government, saying it was not her "personal document" and that investigators were best placed to decide whether it should be made public.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted by the CID and led by Special DGP Munna Prasad Gupta, has been probing Garg’s death. Summonses have been issued to several people associated with the singer, including eight members of the Assam Association in Singapore who were with him on the yacht during his final moments. Rupkamal Kalita appeared before the SIT on Tuesday and remained inside the CID office for nearly six hours before leaving without speaking to the media. Other association members are yet to respond.

Garg's manager Siddhartha Sharma, musician Shekharjyoti Goswami, singer Amritprava Mahanta, and North East India Festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta have been arrested in connection with the case.

Garg reportedly died by drowning while swimming in the sea on September 19 in Singapore, where he had gone to perform at a festival. Following the incident, more than 60 FIRs were filed across Assam against Mahanta, Sharma, and others. The Chief Minister directed the DGP to transfer all cases to the CID and register a consolidated case for thorough investigation.