Tensions flared outside the newly constructed Baksa District Jail in Mushalpur, Assam, as furious fans of the late singer Zubeen Garg pelted stones and slippers, attempting to storm the facility on Wednesday. The unrest followed the transfer of five individuals accused in connection with Garg’s mysterious death in Singapore last month to the unoccupied jail, which protesters claim was a deliberate move by the state government to shield the suspects. The Kamrup Chief Judicial Magistrate ordered the transfer, citing safety concerns due to the high-profile nature of the case, but the decision has sparked widespread outrage among Garg’s supporters.

The accused—North East India Festival (NEIF) chief organizer Shyamkanu Mahanta, Garg’s manager Siddhartha Sharma, his cousin and Assam Police DSP Sandipan Garg, and personal security officers Nandeswar Bora and Prabin Baishya—were remanded to judicial custody on Wednesday. Arrested between October 1 and 10, they face charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for culpable homicide, criminal conspiracy, causing death by negligence, and, later, murder. The court directed their relocation to Baksa Jail, inaugurated in June 2025 with a 200-inmate capacity but currently empty, fueling suspicions of preferential treatment due to its modern amenities.

Zubeen Garg, a cultural icon known for his 2006 Bollywood hit Ya Ali and songs in over 40 languages, died at 52 following a scuba diving accident in Singapore, though allegations of foul play have since surfaced. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has launched a parallel probe into Mahanta for alleged financial crimes, including money laundering and acquiring benami properties, adding complexity to the case. Fans, chanting “Justice for Zubeen,” expressed distrust in the authorities, with one local telling Pratidin Time, “The Assam government is providing shelter to the accused by keeping them in a jail with no other prisoners.”

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Security has been significantly tightened around Baksa Jail, with police and fire tenders on standby to prevent further unrest, as confirmed by District Commissioner Gautam Das during an on-site assessment. The protests reflect deep public anger over Garg’s death, amplified by viral videos, including one of his final moments, circulating online. As the CID continues its investigation, with no bail applications filed by the accused, the controversy underscores the profound loss of a beloved artist and the public’s demand for transparency and justice in a case that has gripped Assam.

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