GUWAHATI, Nov 18: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on November 18 that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has granted the crucial sanction required under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to proceed with legal action against those accused in singer Zubeen Garg’s death. The sanction, granted under Section 208 of the BNSS, enables the Assam government to file a chargesheet and initiate trial proceedings against the accused in the alleged murder that occurred in Singapore.

Section 208 mandates prior approval from the Central Government for prosecuting crimes committed outside India. With this clearance, the legal process in the high-profile case can now advance without any procedural barriers. “This is a major development that strengthens our resolve to ensure justice for Zubeen,” Sarma said.

The announcement came on Zubeen Garg’s 53rd birth anniversary, a day holding special significance for people across Assam. The Chief Minister expressed that the government remains committed to pursuing the case with utmost seriousness and assured that the chargesheet will be filed before December 10, 2025.

Zubeen Garg, an icon of Assamese music and culture, continues to be deeply missed. As Sarma noted, “Today marks the 53rd birthday of our beloved Zubeen Garg — a day that reminds us of his music, his voice, and his irreplaceable place in Assam’s heart.”