The Assam government will transfer Rs 2.90 crore, collected as state GST from late singer Zubeen Garg’s final film 'Roi Roi Binale', to the Kalaguru Foundation by January 2. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced this on January 1.
The film has earned Rs 32 crore at the box office, making it the highest-grossing Assamese film so far. Speaking during the New Year interaction ‘Natun Diner Alap’ (Conversations of a new day), Sarma said the GST share would be given to the foundation set up by Garg.
The chief minister also announced that the state government will appoint a Special Public Prosecutor by January 12 in the case related to Garg’s death. “We are consulting a few criminal lawyers and hope to announce the name by January 6,” he said. He added that the government would request the Gauhati High Court to consider setting up a fast-track court for the trial. “The decision in this regard will be taken by the high court, but we will make the request,” Sarma said.
Calling 2025 “a very sad year for all Assamese,” Sarma said, “We lost Zubeen and the situation that followed shocked all.”
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About Zubeen Garg's mysterious death
Zubeen Garg had travelled to Singapore for the North East India Festival and died under mysterious circumstances while swimming in the sea on September 19. The Assam Police later investigated the case and filed a chargesheet within three months. “Now we want justice to be delivered,” the chief minister said.
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The trial of the seven accused began last month at the Kamrup (Metro) District and Sessions Court. North East India Festival chief organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, Garg’s secretary Siddhartha Sharma, his cousin Sandipan Garg, and two personal security officers appeared from Baksa Jail.
Musician Shekharjyoti Goswami and singer Amritprava Mahanta joined the court proceedings online from Haflong Jail.
According to the chargesheet filed by the SIT on December 12, Mahanta, Sharma, Goswami and Amritprava have been charged with murder. Sandipan Garg, a suspended Assam Police officer, has been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The two personal security officers have been charged with criminal conspiracy and criminal breach of trust over the alleged misappropriation of entrusted funds or property.
