On the 53rd birth anniversary of Assam’s beloved cultural icon Zubeen Garg, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Tuesday that the Union Home Ministry has granted the mandatory legal sanction required to push forward the investigation into the artiste’s death in Singapore on September 19.
In a post on X, the Chief Minister stated that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has approved the sanction under Section 208 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). This approval is essential for investigators to formally proceed against the accused persons in the case.
Explaining the provision, Sarma noted that Section 208, in simple terms, allows Indian courts to take up a case involving a crime committed outside the country only after the Central Government grants prior sanction.
“This sanction allows us to file the charge sheet and move ahead firmly and lawfully for the trial of the case,” Sarma said. He reaffirmed the state government’s earlier commitment to submit the charge sheet by December 10.
Public grief and long-standing demands for Justice
Zubeen Garg, one of the most celebrated voices of Assam, passed away in Singapore on September 19. His sudden demise triggered an outpouring of grief across the Northeast and among Assamese communities worldwide.
Civil society groups, fans, and political leaders have consistently demanded a thorough investigation, urging the government to pursue every legal step necessary to uncover the circumstances surrounding his death.
Coordination with Singapore and continued investigation
The Assam government had earlier assured that all required legal procedures would be followed, including coordination with authorities in Singapore, to ensure the case reaches its logical conclusion.
Tuesday’s announcement is widely being viewed as a significant administrative breakthrough in a case that has remained in the public spotlight for months.
As Assam commemorates Zubeen Garg’s birth anniversary, the government’s renewed assurance has provided a sense of relief and hope to admirers of the singer whose music shaped an entire era of modern Assamese culture.
The sanction marks a major step forward in the pursuit of justice for an artiste whose influence continues to resonate across generations.