Opposition parties in Assam, led by Congress leader Debabrata Saikia, have called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the death of cultural icon Zubeen Garg, who died in Singapore on September 19, 2025, reportedly by drowning. Saikia, the Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Assembly, wrote to President Droupadi Murmu, urging a CBI investigation under the supervision of a Gauhati High Court judge to address what he described as "suspicious circumstances" surrounding Garg’s demise.

Other parties, including the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) and Raijor Dal (RD), echoed the demand, while a public interest litigation (PIL) filed at the Gauhati High Court seeks a court-monitored inquiry.

Saikia highlighted jurisdictional challenges, noting that Garg’s death occurred abroad, limiting the scope of the Assam Crime Investigation Department’s (CID) ongoing probe. He alleged that Garg was coerced into traveling to Singapore with a limited entourage, breaking from his usual practice, which reduced oversight and accountability.

Saikia pointed to contradictory statements by Shyamkanu Mahanta, the chief organizer of the Northeast India Festival, where Garg was scheduled to perform, suggesting either deception or negligence. On Wednesday, the Assam government banned Mahanta from organizing events in the state, intensifying scrutiny of his role. Mahanta is the brother of former DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta and Nani Gopal Mahanta, a former advisor to the Chief Minister.

The opposition’s concerns stem from Garg’s stature as a vocal advocate who opposed policies like the Citizenship Amendment Act, making him, in Saikia’s words, a “potential target for elimination.” He argued that the case’s complexity, involving a death on foreign soil and possible exploitation of Garg’s medical vulnerabilities, necessitates CBI expertise and judicial oversight to ensure public confidence. AJP president Lurinjyoti Gogoi emphasized that only the CBI has the authority to investigate internationally, given the state CID’s limitations.

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Garg, aged 52, died while swimming during a yacht trip in Singapore, with initial reports citing drowning as the cause. His cremation took place with state honors near Guwahati on September 23. The public outcry and demands for transparency reflect Garg’s immense cultural influence in Assam. The Gauhati High Court has scheduled a hearing for the PIL on November 8, 2025, as the Assam CID continues its probe, now supported by a Special Investigation Team.

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