Guwahati: Suspended Assam Police Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sandipan Garg, an accused in the death case of Assamese cultural icon Zubeen Garg, was released from Nikashi Jail in Baksa district on October 19, three days after the Gauhati High Court granted him bail.

Speaking briefly after his release, Sandipan Garg said, “Truth always triumphs.”

A single-judge bench of Justice Rajesh Mazumdar granted bail to the suspended police officer on October 16 after hearing his petition. Senior advocate Anan Kumar Bhuyan appeared on his behalf.

Sandipan Garg, a cousin of the singer, has been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder in connection with Zubeen Garg’s death in Singapore on September 19, 2025. The Gauhati High Court is separately hearing a petition seeking to quash the chargesheet filed against him.

His release follows the High Court’s October 9 order granting bail to another accused, Amritprabha Mahanta, against a bond of Rs 50,000 and two sureties of the same amount. She has since been released from jail.

Earlier, on September 23, a special court granted bail to the singer’s personal security officers, Nandeswar Borah and Paresh Baishya, in a disproportionate assets case. However, they remain in custody in connection with the singer’s death.

Investigation into Zubeen Garg’s death

Zubeen Garg died on September 19, 2025, while swimming in the sea off Singapore, where he had travelled to attend the fourth edition of the North East India Festival.

Those arrested in connection with the case include festival chief organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, the singer’s manager Siddharth Sharma, band member Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, Amritprabha Mahanta, Sandipan Garg and the two personal security officers.

The accused face different charges under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including murder, culpable homicide not amounting to murder, criminal conspiracy and causing death by negligence. Sandipan Garg faces the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

The Assam Police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the case after more than 60 FIRs were registered across the state.

Singapore probe ruled out foul play

The Singapore Police Force conducted a separate investigation into the singer’s death and found no evidence of foul play. Singapore’s Coroner’s Court also ruled out foul play, concluding that the singer was severely intoxicated and drowned off Lazarus Island after declining a life jacket.

Assam authorities have maintained that the findings of the Singapore investigation would not affect the proceedings in the state.

The case remains under investigation and the accused face different charges based on the allegations against them.