The Assam government has decided to constitute a judicial commission to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of singer Zubeen Garg. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday announced that the inquiry will be headed by Justice Soumitra Saikia of the Gauhati High Court.

In a video statement, Sarma said the state had requested the Gauhati High Court to appoint a sitting judge, rather than a retired one, to lead the commission—a move he described as rare in Assam. “The Honourable High Court has graciously approved the appointment of Justice Soumitra Saikia to head the inquiry commission. The commission will be formally constituted tomorrow,” he said.

The Chief Minister also appealed to individuals who have been making claims on social media regarding Zubeen’s alleged murder to submit affidavits before the commission. “Those who have spoken at length on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube must now take responsibility by presenting their statements before the judicial commission,” Sarma added.

Zubeen Garg died in Singapore on September 19 while scuba diving, a day before his scheduled performance at the Northeast India Festival. His body was flown to Delhi and later taken to Guwahati on September 21.

Meanwhile, festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, who was arrested by the Assam CID in connection with the case, has moved the Supreme Court seeking transfer of the probe to a central agency such as the CBI or NIA. He has also requested that a retired Supreme Court judge be appointed to supervise the investigation.