Zubeen Garg Death: Assam bans Shyamkanu Mahanta, associated firms from holding functions in the state

The Assam government has banned Shyamkanu Mahanta, the organiser of the North East Festival and his affiliated groups from hosting events or receiving state support, amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the death of Assamese icon Zubeen Garg.

The announcement was made by CM Himanta Biswa Sarma via X, where he also urged the Centre to deny financial aid or sponsorship to him.

The State Government has decided to prohibit Shri Syamkanu Mahanta and any organisation associated with him from holding any functions or festivals within the State of Assam. Further, the State Government will

not provide any financial grant, advertisement, or sponsorship to any…

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) September 24, 2025 

Mahanta has found himself in the eye of the storm since last week, after the passing of iconic singer-filmmaker Zubeen Garg in Singapore, where he had gone to perform at the North East Festival.

Mahanta and Garg's manager, Siddhartha Sharma, continue to face allegations of negligence and mismanagement despite the singer’s known health issues, with multiple FIRs against them.

Sarma, on September 20, had directed the Assam Police to transfer all the FIRs against Mahanta and Sharma to the CID and to register a consolidated case for a thorough investigation.

Multiple FIRs have been filed against Shri Syamkanu Mahanta and Shri Sidharth Sarma in connection with the unfortunate and untimely demise of our beloved Zubeen Garg. I have directed the @DGPAssamPolice to transfer all the FIRs to the CID and to register a consolidated case for a…

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) September 20, 2025

As per Assam Tribune, a two-member CID team arrived in Jorhat on September 23 to investigate the case of Garg's, following multiple allegations that his death was not natural but a “planned murder”.

The Sentinel had reported that a team of CID had visited the Nagaon Sadar police station on Monday, September 22, for investigation in the same case.

In a video message on September 20, Garg's widow, Garima Saikia Garg, appealed for “peace” and asked people not to harbour ill-will toward Sharma, whom she described as “like our own brother.”

Garima recalled that during Garg's illness in 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown, Sharma had “arranged all necessary treatment in Mumbai and brought him back safely.” She also urged people to allow Sharma to accompany Garg in his final journey, saying that she “cannot do anything without him” and that many of Zubeen’s unfinished works would remain incomplete if he is barred.

Garima asked for the withdrawal of FIRs filed against him, pleading that “he will be scarred for life” by the allegations.

Who is  Shyamkanu Mahanta? 

Shyamkanu Mahanta is an Assamese entrepreneur and cultural organiser, best known as the chief organiser of the North East India Festival (NEIF). He is the MD-CEO of MMS Advisory, a project development & management company based out of Assam's capital, Guwahati.

He is the promoter of the North East Festival Delhi, Colours of North East,  Mumbai, North East India Festival, Bangkok and Rongali in Assam.  He is also the Chief Functionary of Trend MMS,  which is involved in the promotion of the cultural heritage of North East India and the organiser of events such as North East Festival and Rongali.

He began his career in project finance and infrastructure, then pivoted into festival entrepreneurship. While the details of his education are not publicly available, his LinkedIn profile states that he is an engineer with an MBA degree.  He also worked for the North Eastern Development Finance Corporation (NEDFi), Infrastructure Project Advisory (IL&FS)  and is also a promoter in Patkai Energy Company Ltd, since April 2011.

Mahanta rose to fame with the North East Festival, which began in Delhi in 2013 and expanded internationally with editions in Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City and Singapore.

He is the youngest of five brothers of the Mahanta family. His eldest brother Bhaskarjyoti Mahanta was the former DGP of Assam, while his other brother,  Prof Nani Gopal Mahanta,  is a well-known Assamese intellectual and Advisor to the Assam government in the field of education.

Read More: Zubeen Garg cremated with full state honours, lakhs gather to pay last respects