Guwahati- Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday claimed that cultural icon Zubeen Garg was murdered in Singapore, even as the probe into the case was underway.

The celebrated singer died under mysterious circumstances in Singapore on September 19 while swimming in the sea. He had gone to the Southeast Asian nation to attend the 4th edition of the North East India Festival (NEIF).

“I am not terming it an accident. I have set a target to submit the charge sheet by December 8. We are ready now,” Sarma told reporters here.

He, however, did not share further details of the case or the kind of evidence that establishes the death as murder.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Assam Police is currently probing Garg's death case after more than 60 FIRs were lodged across the state.

Speaking about the process of filing the charge sheet, Sarma said,“If any incident takes place abroad, an approval is required from the Ministry of Home Affairs. Yesterday, I met Union Home Minister Amit Shah to get an approval soon.”

He said the SIT is likely to write to the MHA within the next three to four days, seeking necessary approval.

“Then, we will file the charge sheet,” the CM said.

When asked if the Assam government has released any funds to the NEIF, Sarma replied in the negative.

Later, in Guwahati in the evening, Sarma emphasised that the entire investigation started considering the untimely death of Garg as“murder” from the first day itself.

“It is not a new revelation from me... Assam Police's accusation was that this is a murder. Today, people are in judicial custody. Everyone is being forwarded in a case of murder. This is the position from day one,” he added.

A total of seven people were arrested and are now in judicial custody. They were booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for murder, culpable homicide not amounting to murder, criminal conspiracy and causing death by negligence.

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