Why is a Second Autopsy of Zubeen Garg Being Conducted? Insights from Assam's Chief Minister

Second Autopsy Scheduled for Zubeen Garg

Guwahati: A second autopsy for renowned singer Zubeen Garg is set to take place on Tuesday morning at the Gauhati Medical College Hospital (GMCH), following requests from certain groups within Assam, as stated by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday.

The initial autopsy was performed in Singapore, where Garg tragically drowned on September 19. His final rites are scheduled to occur on the outskirts of Guwahati on Tuesday, with full state honors.

According to Sarma, the postmortem at GMCH will commence at 9:30 AM, which is two hours later than the previously announced time.

He clarified that the request for a second autopsy did not stem from the general public but rather from specific fringe groups, and the decision was made with the consent of Garg's wife.

Sarma emphasized that he wished to avoid any controversy surrounding Zubeen, hence the decision to proceed with the second autopsy.

The Chief Minister expressed his personal reluctance to authorize another autopsy, stating he is a devoted fan of Zubeen. However, he acknowledged that the demands of a minority group must be respected in a democratic society.

Despite the expertise of the Singaporean doctors who conducted the first autopsy, Sarma noted the importance of addressing any political motives surrounding Zubeen's death.

The second autopsy will be carried out by a team of doctors from GMCH and AIIMS, Guwahati, and is expected to take approximately two hours.

Zubeen Garg, aged 52, passed away while swimming in Singapore during the North East India Festival (NEIF).

Initially, many in Assam expressed that they did not want their beloved singer's body subjected to further examination, preferring it remain untouched after his passing.

However, as demands arose for the Assam government to refrain from conducting the autopsy due to a lack of trust, a politically motivated request for a second autopsy emerged.

Sarma mentioned that he consulted Union Minister Pabitra Margherita, who spoke with Garg's wife, Garima Saikia Garg, and she expressed no objections to the second autopsy.

Regarding the ongoing investigations by the CID following Garg's death, the Chief Minister revealed multiple FIRs have been filed, including one in Bongaigaon that names two additional individuals: the owner of a private media house and a musician from Garg's team.

Previously, cases were registered against NEIF Chief Organizer Shyamkanu Mahanta and Garg's manager Siddhartha Sharma.

Sarma stated that the CID will gather statements from all FIR filers and take appropriate actions.

The state government plans to request a 'letter of rogatory' for judicial assistance from Singapore, and a team of Assam police will travel there to gather evidence.

Sarma reiterated that the investigation will follow due process step by step.

He also noted that since the incident occurred in Singapore, the local police will lead the investigation, while Assam authorities will look into any potential conspiracy.

The Chief Minister expressed concern over social media speculation regarding individuals who accompanied Zubeen to Singapore and the treatment of his grieving wife, calling it painful and contrary to Assamese culture.

He urged anyone with credible evidence regarding the allegations circulating on social media to come forward, assuring that the government is monitoring these posts and will take action against unfounded speculation.

Sarma concluded by stating that some individuals are attempting to exploit the grief of Zubeen's genuine fans, which has hindered many from paying their respects at the sports complex. He vowed to prevent any lawlessness and take strict measures against such behavior.