Sat Oct 04 01:36:11 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the provided text, followed by a rewrite as a news article:
**Summary:**
The Assam government is launching a judicial inquiry into the death of singer Zubeen Garg, who died under mysterious circumstances in Singapore while attending the North East India Festival. The investigation will be led by Justice Soumitra Saikia of the Gauhati High Court. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax (I-T) Department are also likely to join the Assam Police in investigating potential financial crimes linked to Shyamkanu Mahanta, the festival organizer, accused in connection with Garg’s death. Several arrests have been made, and the investigation is widening to include Garg’s band members, the Assam Association of Singapore, and potential financial irregularities dating back over 20 years. Garg’s wife is cooperating with the investigation and seeking justice.
**News Article:**
**Assam Launches Judicial Probe into Death of Singer Zubeen Garg; Financial Crimes Investigation Widens**
**Guwahati, October 4, 2025:** The Assam government has announced a formal judicial inquiry into the death of beloved singer Zubeen Garg, who passed away on September 19th in Singapore. The probe will be headed by Justice Soumitra Saikia of the Gauhati High Court, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced.
Garg’s death, which occurred while swimming in Singapore during the North East India Festival, has sparked widespread concern and calls for a thorough investigation. Over 60 FIRs have been filed against Shyamkanu Mahanta, the festival organizer, and others.
The investigation is expanding beyond the immediate circumstances of Garg’s death. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax (I-T) Department are expected to join the Assam Police’s CID in investigating alleged financial crimes and the acquisition of benami properties linked to Mahanta. Raids on Mahanta’s residence uncovered numerous potentially incriminating documents, including multiple PAN cards and stamp seals.
“We request all people who have any information or videos related to Zubeen Garg’s death to come forward and depose in front of the commission,” Chief Minister Sarma stated in a Facebook Live address.
Several individuals have been arrested in connection with the case, including Garg’s manager and Shyamkanu Mahanta. Most recently, Garg’s band members, Shekharjyoti Goswami and Amritprabha Mahanta, have been remanded to 14 days of police custody. Police have already invoked murder charges against Garg’s manager Siddharth Sharma and festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta.
The investigation is also delving into potential financial irregularities dating back over two decades, involving Mahanta’s tenure at the North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd. (NEDFi), where he allegedly facilitated irregular loans of over Rs 14 crore.
Zubeen Garg’s wife, Garima, has recorded her statement and submitted documents to authorities. “We need justice as soon as possible,” she stated. “I want to know what exactly happened that we lost him.”
Authorities have requested members of the Assam Association of Singapore who accompanied the singer on the day of his death to come forward with their statements. The probe is ongoing.
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