Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has issued a warning that the state government will take “harsh measures” if the associates of late singer Zubeen Garg, who were with him in Singapore during his final hours, do not appear before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) by the October 6 deadline.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Sarma said the government cannot compel their return from Singapore but is coordinating with their families to ensure cooperation. “Their return depends entirely on them. We can only appeal to their parents to ensure they come back for the probe,” he stated, adding that legal action will follow if they fail to comply.

The SIT, investigating Garg’s death by drowning in Singapore, has summoned eight individuals linked to the Assam Association of Singapore, including Tanmoy Phukan, Abhimanyu Talukdar, Debojyoti Hazarika, Rupkamal Kalita, Bhaskar Dutta, Siddhartha Bora, Parikshit Sharma, and Wajed Ahmed. Police confirmed that the summons were issued after a fresh complaint alleged the involvement of 11 association members.

Families of the summoned individuals expressed uncertainty over whether they will return for questioning. “Everyone is deeply saddened by Zubeen’s death, but they have not informed us about their decision,” a relative said.

Sarma noted that the investigation is progressing under the SIT and emphasized that all arrested individuals are being questioned thoroughly without any VIP treatment. Currently, four people—including North East India Festival chief organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, singer’s manager Siddhartha Sharma, musician Shekharjyoti Goswami, and singer Amritprava Mahanta—are in 14-day police custody.

Garg had travelled to Singapore to perform at the North East India Festival and died while swimming near a Singapore island. Over 60 FIRs were filed across Assam after his death, prompting CM Sarma to merge all cases under the CID for a coordinated investigation.

Regarding post-mortem reports, Sarma said the second autopsy conducted in Assam will not be made public but can be accessed through official CID requests. The first autopsy report from Singapore has already been submitted to the Indian High Commissioner. Garg’s wife, Garima Saikia Garg, declined to retain the second report, stating that its disclosure should be determined by investigators.

The chief minister also noted that several political leaders, including Opposition Leader Debabrata Saikia, Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi, and AJP chief Lurinjyoti Gogoi, have requested a CBI inquiry into the singer’s death, though he suggested their simultaneous calls may be coincidental.