Guwahati: The family of Assam’s cultural icon Zubeen Garg has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking the establishment of a special court and speedy judicial intervention to fast-track the trial related to the singer’s death in Singapore last September.
In a letter submitted on Saturday, the family also urged that no bail be granted to any of the accused until the completion of the judicial process and called for appropriate diplomatic and legal engagement with Singapore to address the case.
In a memorandum signed by Garg’s wife Garima, sister Palmee Borthakur and uncle Manoj Borthakur, the family said the death of the singer-composer had “left behind not merely a grieving family but millions of people seeking clarity and lawful action”. They noted that while the Assam Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is probing the case in India, Singaporean authorities are simultaneously conducting their own inquiry, with the family remaining in continuous engagement with officials in both jurisdictions.
Seeking the Centre’s intervention, the family requested the setting up of a special court in India to ensure focused adjudication, avoid procedural delays and instil public confidence in the judicial process. They also sought fast-tracking of the trial through appropriate judicial and administrative measures so that justice is not delayed or diluted over time, while reiterating their demand that bail not be granted to any of the accused during the pendency of the case.
The family further requested the appointment of additional public prosecutors, if required, to assist the five-member prosecution team already constituted by the Assam government. This, they said, would help ensure that the case is conducted with the highest level of professional competence and seriousness and enable faster disposal.
They also sought “active diplomatic and legal engagement” with Singapore at the highest level to monitor proceedings in the Coroner’s Court, ensure that all relevant materials and testimonies are shared with Indian authorities, explore avenues for mutual legal assistance and prevent jurisdictional complexities from obstructing the pursuit of truth.
“We are a family in grief, but also citizens of a Republic founded on justice. We place our trust in your good office to ensure that this matter is pursued with the seriousness, urgency and moral weight it deserves,” the family stated in the letter.
Zubeen Garg had died on September 19 while swimming in the sea in Singapore, where he had travelled to attend the North East India Festival. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Assam Police’s CID is investigating the case and had submitted its charge-sheet on December 12.
Of the seven persons arrested so far, the SIT has charged four with murder and one with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, while the remaining two have been booked for criminal conspiracy and criminal breach of trust for allegedly misappropriating entrusted funds or property.
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Meanwhile, a separate inquiry is being conducted by authorities in Singapore. The coroner’s court there recently ruled out foul play, stating that Garg was severely intoxicated and drowned off Lazarus Island after declining to wear a life jacket.
