Who Is Shekhar Jyoti, The Musician Questioned By SIT In Zubeen Garg Death Probe?

The Assam Police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) recently questioned musician Shekhar Jyoti Goswami in connection with the death of popular Assamese singer Zubeen Garg. Goswami was said to be among those who joined Zubeen on the yacht trip in Singapore where the tragic incident happened.

According to a report in India Today, Jyoti is currently being questioned, though officials have not specified the allegations against him or confirmed whether charges will be filed. His detention coincided with raids conducted at the Guwahati residence of Zubeen’s manager, Siddharth Sharma, located in Datalpara.

Who Is Shekhar Jyoti?

Shekhar Jyoti Goswami is known in Assam’s music circuit as a drummer and long-time associate of Zubeen Garg. Reports suggest

he was with the singer during the Singapore visit that preceded Garg’s death.

On social media, Jyoti presents himself as more than a drummer. His Instagram bio describes him as a “Sound Engineer, Music Producer, Arranger, Musician, Computer Hardware Engineer.” Investigators have not disclosed the reasons behind his arrest or the specific role he is suspected of playing in the case.

Probe underway

The SIT, led by Special DGP M.P. Gupta, is also examining other individuals linked to the case. Entrepreneur and cultural activist Shyamkanu Mahanta is reportedly under scrutiny, while members of the Singapore Assam Association may also face questioning in the coming days over suspected irregularities. Authorities have suggested that additional arrests could follow as the inquiry develops.

Searches at Shyamkanu Mahanta, Siddharth Sharma’s house

SIT teams also carried out separate searches at the residences of two other key individuals linked to the case — Shyamkanu Mahanta, the organiser of the festival, and Siddharth Sharma, Zubeen’s manager.

A team visited Mahanta’s house in Geetanagar, where only two domestic helpers were found at home. Meanwhile, another team reached Sharma’s apartment in Dhirenpara, which was locked.

The lock was broken open in the presence of a magistrate, and the premises were searched. Residents claimed that Sharma’s family members — his mother, brother, and sister — have not been seen since Zubeen’s death.

The Assam government has formed a 10-member SIT, led by Special DGP M.P. Gupta, to investigate the singer’s death. The case has drawn widespread attention both within the state and beyond, with fans demanding justice.

Zubeen Garg’s death

Zubeen Garg, often celebrated as Assam’s “favourite rockstar,” died in Singapore on September 19 while swimming at Lazarus Island. Early reports pointed to a scuba diving mishap, but his wife Garima Saikia Garg later clarified that he had suffered a seizure during his second swim. She noted that although he had worn a life jacket earlier in the day, he was not wearing one at the time of the incident.

He was transported to Singapore General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 2:30 p.m. His body was flown back to Assam and cremated at Kamarkuchi on the outskirts of Guwahati with full state honours, including a 21-gun salute.