Women pay tribute to music icon Zubeen Garg on his birth anniversary in Guwahati November 18, 2025 | Photo credit: PTI
The Center on Tuesday (Nov 18, 2025) granted the required sanctions to the Assam Police to take action against people linked to the death of Assamese cultural icon Zubeen Garg in Singapore on 19 September.
The move was timed with the singer-composer-actor’s 53rd birth anniversary, celebrated across the state, including at the site near Guwahati where he was cremated.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the Union Home Ministry’s approval under Section 208 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) was necessary as the alleged “murder” happened in another country.
“Today we celebrate the 53rd birthday of our beloved Zubeen Garg – a day that reminds us of his music, his voice and his irreplaceable place in the heart of Assam,” he said, detailing the sanction.
“Section 208 of the BNSS in simple language says: if an offense is committed outside India, the court can entertain the case only after the central government grants prior sanction,” he said.
“This sanction is therefore a major legal step that allows us to file charges and proceed firmly and lawfully to hear the case. We are fully committed to indicting the accused persons by December 10, 2025,” he said.
Garg died while swimming off a Singapore island in the sea. He traveled to Singapore to attend the fourth edition of the Northeast India Festival. A special investigation team arrested seven people, including festival organizer Shyamkanu Mahanta. All are in judicial custody.
Before midnight on Monday (November 17, 2025), Garg’s fans started gathering outside his residence in Guwahati to celebrate his birthday. They cut the cake, placed it in front of his photo and sang the birthday song along with his other favorite numbers.
Garg’s wife Garima Saikia Garg and sister Palmee Borthakur joined the fans to celebrate the day.
The Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress also paid tributes to the late Garg. BJP organized blood donation camps at some places while BJP decided to continue the fight for justice for Garg and his family.
In western Assam’s Kokrajhar, Chairman of Bodoland Territorial Council Hagrama Mohilary laid the foundation stone of Zubeen Garg Park. The centerpiece of the 30-bigha park will be a statue of the singer and actor.
Published – 18 Nov 2025 20:56 IST
