The 14-day CID custody of businessman and event organizer Shyamkanu Mahanta and his associate Siddharth Sharma—both accused in the Zubeen Garg death case—ends today. The two are expected to be produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) tomorrow morning. Their appearance before the court has drawn wide attention, as the next step in the case will determine whether they will be moved to judicial custody or if the Special Investigation Team (SIT) will seek an extension of their remand.
Sources from the CID said the investigators are still examining digital evidence and witness statements collected during the probe. “The investigation is ongoing and at a crucial stage. More testimonies are expected in the coming days,” a senior officer said. Five Assamese NRIs based in Singapore have already recorded their statements, while six others are expected to testify soon. Among those being questioned are Tanmoy Phukan and Abhimanyu Talukdar, who are believed to be part of the team that organized the controversial yacht party linked to the case.
If judicial custody is granted, Assam Police face the challenge of deciding where the two accused will be lodged. Security concerns have been raised, with officials worried about the safety of both individuals given the sensitivity of the case and the intense public reaction following the death of popular singer Zubeen Garg. Discussions are reportedly underway on whether they should be kept in a jail within Assam or transferred outside the state for security reasons. 
Although the SIT is expected to seek an extension of custody, it is unclear if the court will approve it. Police officials have indicated that further questioning may be necessary to trace financial and logistical links related to the yacht event. The CID has invoked several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)—Sections 106(1), 105, 61(2), and 103—in connection with the case.
Meanwhile, emotions continue to run high across Assam. It has been 26 days since Zubeen Garg’s death, but the grief among his fans has not faded. At Sonapur, where the singer was cremated, people continue to gather daily to pay tribute. Construction work for a permanent crematorium has already begun, and the site has gradually turned into a place of remembrance.
From morning till evening, fans can be seen lighting candles, chanting prayers, and singing Zubeen’s songs. Many have described the site as “a temple of love and respect.” One of his fans, who came from Tezpur, said, “We have been visiting since day one. Zubeen da is more than a singer to us. We want justice within ten days. Whoever is responsible should be punished.”
A former classmate of Zubeen from Jorhat College recalled his kindness and humility. “He helped me and my family during the pandemic without hesitation. I’ve known him for 30 years, and he was always a good human being, not materialistic at all,” he said.
