Not a chargesheet, but CM's election manifesto: Akhil Gogoi slams government over Zubeen's death probe

Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi on Friday, December 12 questioned the credibility and intent behind the chargesheet filed in connection with the death of renowned Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, alleging that the investigation was conducted with political motives rather than a pursuit of truth.

Gogoi claimed that for the past 84 days, instead of addressing the concerns raised by the people of Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma has “crafted a narrative to serve his own political interests.” He asserted that the chargesheet submitted by the Assam CID “fails to establish Zubeen Garg’s death as murder,” despite public speculation and demands for clarity.

Raising serious procedural concerns, Gogoi pointed out that the incident occurred in Singapore, yet the investigation was carried out entirely within the CID office in Assam. “How can an investigating officer prepare a chargesheet without even
travelling to Singapore?” he questioned. “This is not a chargesheet; it is the Chief Minister’s election manifesto.”

The MLA further alleged that the government’s intention behind rushing the chargesheet was to ensure that, during the upcoming elections, BJP workers are not chased out of villages as happened during the anti-CAA movement.

Referring to legal precedents, Gogoi said he has consistently highlighted the Madras High Court verdict in the Jayalalithaa case, emphasising that investigations into incidents occurring outside India must follow international procedures — a requirement he claims was ignored.

Gogoi also dismissed the government’s assertion that 3,500 documents and 7,000 statements were collected during the probe, calling them “meaningless” without on-ground verification. “They have not even examined the water where Zubeen Da reportedly drowned, yet they proceeded with a chargesheet. If it were up to me, I would have torn it apart,” he remarked.

The MLA accused the Chief Minister of making claims about a motive behind the alleged murder but failing to explain how the murder supposedly occurred. He further alleged that the chargesheet “gives the guilty a chance to escape rather than ensuring punishment.”

Gogoi also criticised the Chief Minister’s statement that the matter now rests with the court. “How can the court deliver justice when the foundation itself is flawed? Even if you bang your head against a wall, justice cannot happen this way,” he said.

Drawing parallels with the anti-CAA movement, Gogoi concluded that the chargesheet was strategically filed to prevent BJP workers from freely entering villages during election season.