Suspended Assam Police officer Sandipon Garg was released from jail after securing bail. Assam plans to challenge the relief as questions over Zubeen Garg's death await trial.
Guwahati,Oct 19, 2026 18:10 IST
Suspended Assam Police officer Sandipon Garg, an accused in the case involving singer Zubeen Garg's death, was released on bail from Baksa district jail on Monday, officials told news agency Press Trust of India.
The Gauhati High Court granted bail to Sandipon, the singer's cousin, on October 16 after he had spent nearly a year in custody. He has been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder in connection with the death.
After leaving the jail in Assam's Bodoland Territorial Region, Sandipon said, "People need to know the truth about what happened in Singapore on September 19. Only the truth can free my brother Zubeen Garg's soul."
The suspended deputy superintendent of police said he hoped the facts surrounding the singer's death would emerge during the trial. "The truth always wins, and it is the court that will decide what the truth is," he added.
Zubeen Garg died under mysterious circumstances while swimming in the sea in Singapore on September 19. He had travelled there to attend the fourth edition of the North East India Festival.
The High Court had granted bail to another accused, Amritprava Mahanta, on October 9. She was released from Haflong sub-jail in Dima Hasao district after furnishing a bond of Rs 50,000 and two sureties of the same amount, according to PTI.
The singer's personal security officers, Nandeswar Borah and Paresh Baishya, were granted bail by a special court on September 23 in a disproportionate assets case. However, they remain in custody in connection with the singer's death.
Special Director General of Police for the Criminal Investigation Department Munna Prasad Gupta said on Sunday that the Assam government would approach the Supreme Court against the High Court's decision to grant bail to two of the seven accused. According to PTI, Gupta said a special leave petition would be filed after the Supreme Court reopened following the ongoing holidays.
The other people arrested in the case are North East India Festival chief organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, the singer's manager Siddharth Sharma and band member Shekhar Jyoti Goswami. The accused face charges under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to murder, culpable homicide not amounting to murder, criminal conspiracy and causing death by negligence.
A Special Investigation Team of the Assam Police's Criminal Investigation Department investigated the case after more than 60 first information reports were filed across the state.
The Singapore Police Force, which conducted a separate investigation, found no evidence of foul play. A Singapore Coroner's Court also ruled out foul play, saying the singer-songwriter was severely intoxicated and drowned off Lazarus Island after declining a life jacket.
Assam authorities have maintained that the Singapore investigation's findings will not affect the case in the state. Sandipon's release leaves the circumstances of Zubeen Garg's death and the charges against the accused to be considered during the trial.
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