Forensic tests at GMCH and CFSL reportedly found no toxic substances, confirming Zubeen’s death was caused by drowning, consistent with the Singapore autopsy report.
BY PC Bureau
October 15 — In a new twist to the Zubeen Garg death case, Special DGP (CID) and SIT Chief Munna Prasad Gupta on Tuesday dismissed the post-mortem report circulating on social media as “not genuine.”
“That report lacks any doctor’s signature and is therefore not authentic,” Gupta clarified at a press briefing in Guwahati.
The SIT chief said the police remand of five accused ends today, and all will be produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Court as per procedure.
Of the 11 Assamese expatriates from Singapore, nine have recorded their statements, with one more expected to do so by today, taking the total to ten. Gupta also confirmed that Shekharjyoti Goswami and Amritprabha Mahanta will be produced before the court on October 17.
Meanwhile, a team of medical experts visited the CID office to conduct health examinations of the five accused, including Shyamkanu Mahanta and Siddharth Sharma, under strict supervision. Two expatriate witnesses — Sushmita Goswami and Debojit Hazarika — also appeared for official proceedings.
Sources said all five accused would be produced before the CJM Court around 9 AM and are likely to be sent to judicial custody.
READ: PK Rules Out Cotnesting Poll, Calls NDA in ‘Complete Chaos’
Forensic Findings Rule Out Poisoning
Earlier the “leaked” reports said that , forensic tests conducted at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) and confirmed by the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in New Delhi ruled out any traces of toxic substances in Zubeen’s viscera and body fluids, confirming drowning as the cause of death.
These findings aligned with the Singapore Police Force (SPF) report that Zubeen died by drowning near St John’s Island on September 19, and no foul play or poisoning was detected.
Although minor external injuries were observed on the body, sources said they were not severe enough to have contributed to his death.
SIT Refocuses on Negligence and Timeline
With toxicological reports eliminating the poisoning theory, investigators are now re-examining the timeline and events leading to Zubeen’s death, including whether any negligence or procedural lapses occurred during the incident in Singapore.
Zubeen, who was in Singapore to perform at the North East India Festival, reportedly removed his life jacket before re-entering the water. The festival, celebrating 60 years of India–Singapore diplomatic ties, was later cancelled following his death.
So far, the Assam Police have arrested seven people in connection with the case, including Mahanta, Sharma, Goswami, Amritprava Mahanta, Sandipan Garg (Zubeen’s cousin and APS officer), and two security personnel — Paresh Baishya and Nandeswar Bora.
