In a major development that has gripped Assam, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the death of iconic singer Zubeen Garg has arrested two of his personal security officers (PSOs), police said on Friday.
The officers — Nandeswar Bora and Paresh Baishya — were taken into custody after several rounds of questioning, weeks after being suspended over large unexplained transactions in their personal bank accounts.
₹1.1 Crore in Suspicious Transactions
According to investigators, financial records revealed over ₹1.1 crore linked to the two PSOs. Bora’s account reportedly showed ₹70 lakh, while Baishya’s saw transactions of ₹40–45 lakh. Police sources confirmed the amounts were far beyond their known sources of income.
Both officers were attached to Zubeen’s security team after he received death threats from ULFA nearly a decade ago. They had been questioned repeatedly before their arrest on Friday.
Zubeen’s Charitable Work Linked to the Funds
Sources close to the singer revealed that Zubeen had used the PSOs’ bank accounts to store and distribute money for charitable work.
Garima Saikia Garg, the singer’s wife, confirmed this, saying: “Zubeen had given some money to the PSOs for the social work he does. Investigations are going on. The PSOs have all the bank statements, and they also maintained a diary about various transactions.”
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She clarified that she was not directly involved in his personal finances.
Family Appeals for Truth, Not Politics
Garima appealed to the public and political circles to avoid politicising the case.
“The issue should not be politicised. We just want to know what happened to him on that day,” she said. “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.”
She also criticised the circulation of unverified videos allegedly showing Zubeen’s final moments: “Why are his last videos being posted in parts, just like a web series? We are confused about the different things being said at different times. We just want the truth.”
Public Pressure and Government Action
Zubeen Garg, 52, died in Singapore last month, sending shockwaves across Assam and the Northeast. The Assam government set up a Special Investigation Team after widespread public demands for transparency.
The SIT is examining both financial and personal aspects of the case, and multiple lines of inquiry remain open.
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His sister, Palme Borthakur, has joined Garima in demanding answers about the circumstances leading to his death.
Probe ‘Open and Ongoing’
Officials said the investigation is still underway, with more arrests not being ruled out.
The SIT has stated the case remains “open and ongoing”, as forensic and financial evidence is being pieced together.
