Shared list of cops to probe Zubeen death case in Singapore, SIT tells civic team

Guwahati: Assam Police SIT on Tuesday apprised six eminent individuals from civil society about the progress in the Zubeen Garg death case in a meeting here, except for the autopsy report.SIT had invited at least 15 eminent individuals to share an update about the case. The invitees were divided in their response — while some declined to attend, citing legal concerns and the possibility of the meeting benefiting the accused, others accepted the invitation, stating their commitment to seeking justice for Zubeen.Doctors Hitesh Baruah and Subhrakinkar Goswami, actor Pranjal Saikia, journalists Atanu Bhuyan and Sanjib Phukan, and two others, including Sibanu Borah, accepted the invitation and met the SIT seeking justice for Zubeen.

The remaining invitees refused to accept the invitation of the SIT, citing legal concerns.Goswami said the SIT informed them that Singapore authorities have sought the names of police officers from Assam to be deputed for carrying out an investigation in their country, and that the list has already been sent.After the meeting, actor Pranjal Saikia told the media that no confidential information, including the autopsy report of the singer, was shared with them.

“We also did not ask for them for the sake of confidentiality and a proper investigation as per law. The SIT has apprised us about the progress. They said seven Assamese individuals living in Singapore have appeared before the SIT so far, and three more will join the probe on Wednesday,” he added.He added that they demanded the SIT ensure a thorough investigation and a strong chargesheet without any scope of errors so that the guilty cannot escape punishment by taking advantage of the same.

“The SIT has also assured a strong chargesheet, which they will submit within the stipulated time of 90 days as per law,” he added. Saikia said the delegation conveyed the public sentiment to the SIT.Noted writer Phanindra Kumar Devchoudhury, All Assam Students’ Union (Aasu) chief advisor Samujjal Bhattacharya, and writer Anuradha Sarma Pujari were among those who refused to accept the SIT’s invitation, citing legal concerns but demanded the Assam police ensure justice for the icon.Aasu staged protests demanding justice for Zubeen in many parts of the state. Bhattacharya, who joined the protest in Guwahati, said, “We will not rest until Zubeen Garg gets justice. The investigation must be swift and thorough. The guilty must receive strict and exemplary punishment. The SIT must submit a strong charge sheet with evidence. The charge sheet should be such that no guilty person can escape through legal loopholes.

”Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) announced a series of protests across the state from Oct 17 to demand justice for Zubeen. AJYCP president Palash Changmai said under the state-wide demonstrations, the organisation will paste over 10 lakh stickers featuring Zubeen Garg’s photograph and justice slogans on vehicles throughout the state.On Oct 19, the AJYCP members will also hold a day-long fast at all district headquarters, marking the singer’s death’s one-month anniversary. The programme will conclude in the evening with candlelight tributes to the departed artist.