• Source:JND
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The entire nation, especially Assam, is mourning the loss of legendary singer Zubeen Garg. However, the tragic death of the star has now turned, just before the Assembly elections in the state. The organiser of the NEIF festival, Shyamkanu Mahanta, has been arrested. Mahanta belongs to an influential family and has organised festivals in Delhi, Bangkok, Singapore and other cities, often partnering with Indian embassies. He also hosts the annual Rongali festival in Guwahati, which has received support from the Assam Tourism Department.

Garg's fans are questioning why he was taken to Singapore despite health concerns, alleging exploitation by Shyamkanu Mahanta. Mahanta faces criticism from both the BJP and opposition parties. Sculptor Rudrankur Hazarika also leveled allegations against persons close to CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.

Party members, Akhil Gogoi and Lurinjyoti Gogoi have demanded a CBI investigation and alleged that Shyamkanu Mahanta has ties with CM Himanta Biswa Sarma's government. In response, Sarma's wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, filed a defamation case against Akhil Gogoi for claiming her company organised a fashion event at the NEIF in Singapore after Zubeen Garg's death.

On September 27, Sarma said in a Facebook live video, "The government and Assam Chief Minister are with you. The day I am unsuccessful, you can punish me. Some people are saying we will not vote (for the BJP) in 2026. That’s a correct thing, if we are not able to deliver justice for Zubeen, why would you vote for us?" This came after a crowd demanded Mahanta and Siddharth Sharma’s arrest post stone pelting incident at police vehicles.

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Mahanta and Sharma were arrested on October 1, 2025. Cabinet Minister Pijush Hazarika stated, "Chief Minister… promised justice for Zubeen da and he delivered. From bringing his mortal remains home to Assam, ensuring a dignified and peaceful farewell, taking swift action with arrests, to firmly standing up against fringe elements who tried to misuse Zubeen da’s name for their agenda – every step was decisive."

After the Assam Lawyers' Association urged its members not to represent the accused, Shyamkanu Mahanta hired Supreme Court advocate Raj Kamal to file a petition seeking a Central agency investigation. The Assam BJP responded by accusing Mahanta of hiring a "Congress bootlicker," noting Raj Kamal's past role as deputy advocate general for the Congress-led Punjab government.

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The BJP alleged Mahanta had ties to Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi, a rival of CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and claimed this was an attempt to "save" Mahanta. Sarma fired back, stating he hadn't attended Mahanta's events since 2015, and criticised Akhil Gogoi's allegations, joking about the impossibility of avoiding photos with supporters.

Gogoi held a press-conference on Tuesday and accused Sarma of "diverting to other issues and trying to give a clean chit to Mahanta". He further added, "People of Assam have one clear demand, justice for Zubeen Garg… There have been no steps by police to go to Singapore and question the Assam society persons there… People want to know whether Zubeen took medicines at night or not, did Zubeen want to go to Singapore or was he compelled, why was he not made to wear a life jacket, why Garima ba (Garg’s wife) was not able to go with him."