Security Aides to Late Assamese Icon Zubeen Garg Detained in Ongoing Death Inquiry
Guwahati: In a significant escalation of the investigation into the demise of renowned Assamese singer and cultural icon Zubeen Garg, authorities have detained two of his longtime personal security officers. The arrests, announced by police on Friday, come as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) delves deeper into the circumstances surrounding the 52-year-old artist’s sudden death in Singapore last month.
The detained officers, identified as Nandeswar Bora and Paresh Baishya, underwent intensive interrogation over several days before being formally taken into custody. Both individuals had been provisionally suspended from the Assam Police earlier, following the discovery of substantial, unexplained deposits in their personal bank accounts that raised red flags about potential financial irregularities.
According to police disclosures, the accounts revealed transactions totaling more than Rs 1.1 crore, with Bora’s linked to approximately Rs 70 lakh and Baishya’s to between Rs 40-45 lakh—sums investigators deem inconsistent with the officers’ documented earnings. These developments have intensified scrutiny on the inner workings of Garg’s personal circle, particularly given the officers’ close association with him for years.
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Bora and Baishya were assigned to Garg’s protection detail by the Assam Police around a decade ago, in response to credible death threats from the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA). The suspicious transactions reportedly span the past four to five years, prompting questions about the extent of their involvement in the singer’s monetary affairs.
Sources close to the probe indicate that Garg routinely channeled funds through these officers’ accounts, primarily to facilitate his extensive charitable endeavors. The SIT’s inquiries, which have included repeated sessions with the pair in recent weeks, underscore the multifaceted nature of the case.
Addressing the unfolding events, Garg’s widow, Garima Saikia Garg, clarified on Thursday that her husband had indeed placed certain funds with the security personnel, but solely for philanthropic purposes. “Zubeen had given some money to the PSOs for the social work he does,” she stated. “Investigations are going on. The PSOs have all the bank statements, and they also maintained a diary about various transactions.”
Garima emphasized her limited involvement in her husband’s financial matters, noting she lacked detailed knowledge of them. She urged restraint from external influences, appealing to the public and political figures alike: “The issue should not be politicised. We just want to know what happened to him on that day.” Lamenting the perceived oversight during his final hours, she added, “He was loved by all and got love and respect… So why was he neglected in that manner on that fateful day? This is our question.”
The widow also expressed dismay over the fragmented dissemination of videos capturing Garg’s last moments online, likening it to sensationalized content. “Why are his last videos being posted in parts, just like a web series?” she questioned. “We are confused about the different things being said at different times. We just want to know the correct version and the truth.”
Echoing these sentiments, Garg’s sister, Palme Borthakur, has joined calls for unvarnished answers regarding the Singapore incident, which continues to spawn parallel investigations. The Assam government established the SIT last month to thoroughly review both fiscal and interpersonal dimensions of the tragedy, spurred by demands for accountability from grieving fans and relatives.
For now, officials describe the probe as active and comprehensive, with no conclusive findings released. Garg’s untimely passing continues to reverberate through Assam and the wider region, where he remains a beloved figure as a singer, composer, and actor whose influence shaped generations.