Assam CM encouraging protests against Judges in Zubeen Garg death case: Akhil Gogoi

Assam CM encouraging protests against Judges in Zubeen Garg death case: Akhil Gogoi The controversy surrounding the death of beloved Assamese singer‑songwriter Zubeen Garg has taken a dramatic turn after Sibsagar MLA Akhil Gogoi accused Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of “encouraging protests against judges”. Gogoi, a prominent figure in the state’s activist circles, claimed the chief minister’s recent remarks crossed the line from political commentary into contempt of court. The allegation comes amid a wave of public demonstrations demanding an independent probe into the circumstances of Garg’s sudden demise, which many fear may have been hastened by political pressure..

In a fiery press conference on Tuesday, Gogoi recounted a televised interview in which Sarma allegedly suggested that “the judiciary is being weaponised” against the government’s anti‑corruption drive. “When the chief minister tells the public that the judges are ‘biased’ and that people should protest, it is not just a political stance – it is an affront to the rule of law,” he said, citing the constitutional principle that judges must be free from intimidation. The MLA warned that such rhetoric could erode public confidence in the legal system, especially at a time when the Zubeen Garg case is under intense scrutiny..

The Zubeen Garg case began three weeks ago when the 45‑year‑old star was found dead in his Kolkata apartment under circumstances that police described as “sudden and unexplained”. While the official post‑mortem pointed to natural causes, a coalition of artists, journalists and civil‑society groups demanded a more thorough investigation, alleging that the singer had been receiving threats linked to his outspoken criticism of certain state policies. The demand for an independent judicial inquiry quickly turned into a broader debate about the autonomy of the judiciary in Assam..

Sarma’s office, for its part, has denied any intent to undermine the courts. In a statement released after the press conference, the chief minister’s spokesperson argued that the remarks were “taken out of context” and were intended to highlight the need for transparency in ongoing investigations. “The CM’s comments were about ensuring that the investigative agencies operate without political interference, not about vilifying judges,” the statement read..

The office also warned that baseless accusations could distract from the primary goal of delivering justice for the late artist. Legal experts, however, are divided on whether Sarma’s comments constitute contempt. Professor Anupam Das of Gauhati University’s law faculty noted that “the line between legitimate criticism of judicial performance and contempt is thin.” He added that any public call for protests against judges, especially when tied to a specific case, could be interpreted as an attempt to influence pending proceedings..

Conversely, senior advocate Ranjit Borah argued that freedom of speech protects political leaders who raise concerns about judicial conduct, provided they do not threaten judges directly. “The real question is whether the remarks were meant to intimidate or simply to voice a grievance,” he said. Public reaction has been swift and polarized..

Supporters of the chief minister have taken to social media, posting hashtags such as #StandWithSarma, claiming that the accusations are part of a broader campaign to silence the government’s anti‑corruption agenda. Meanwhile, activists and members of the opposition have organized rallies in Guwahati, demanding that the chief minister apologise and retract his statements. The protests have drawn crowds of up to 5,000 people, many waving banners that read “Justice for Zubeen” and “Judges Not Targets”..

The state’s High Court has yet to comment on the matter, but sources close to the bench indicate that a petition may be filed soon seeking a contempt notice against Sarma. If such a notice were issued, it could trigger a formal hearing where the chief minister would be required to answer for alleged contemptuous conduct. Legal scholars caution that the outcome could set a precedent for how political speech is regulated in relation to the judiciary in India’s federal states..

In the meantime, the investigation into Zubeen Garg’s death remains a point of contention. The Assam Police have reiterated that they are following all procedural norms, but have faced criticism for not granting immediate access to the autopsy report. A senior officer, who requested anonymity, told reporters that “the family’s demand for an independent probe is understandable, but the case is already being examined by a central forensic team”..

The officer added that any delay in releasing information is due to standard verification protocols, not an attempt to conceal evidence. Family members of the late singer have also entered the public arena, with Garg’s brother, Pankaj Garg, pleading for “a transparent and swift investigation”. In a brief statement, Pankaj expressed disappointment over the political infighting that, in his view, is diverting attention from the core issue of how his brother died..

“We do not want the case turned into a political football,” he said, urging both the chief minister and opposition leaders to allow the legal process to proceed without interference. The opposition Indian National Congress, which has been critical of Sarma’s governance since taking office in 2021, seized the moment to launch a coordinated campaign in the state legislature. In a motion tabled on Wednesday, Congress legislators called for a “special judicial committee” to review the conduct of both the police investigation and the chief minister’s public statements..

They argued that only an external body, free from state influence, could guarantee an unbiased assessment of the facts surrounding the singer’s death. National media outlets have begun to pick up the story,.