Guwahati: Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta (Retd IPS: 1988: AM), the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) of Assam and former Director General of Police (DGP), has tendered his resignation following a recommendation from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The Chief Minister cited a “clash of interest” arising from Mahanta’s indirect connection to an ongoing criminal investigation surrounding the death of renowned Assamese singer Zubeen Garg.
Conflict of Interest Triggers Resignation
According to official sources, the controversy surfaced after Mahanta’s office received several Right to Information (RTI) applications concerning his brother, Shyamkanu Mahanta, who had organized a high-profile music festival where Zubeen Garg was slated to perform.
The Chief Minister’s Office reportedly viewed this as a potential conflict of interest, given Mahanta’s current role as the state’s Chief Information Commissioner — a post entrusted with ensuring transparency in government and quasi-judicial matters.
Zubeen Garg’s Tragic Death and Ongoing Probe
Zubeen Garg, one of Assam’s most beloved artists, was found dead in Singapore waters on September 19, 2025, a day before his scheduled concert at the festival organized by Shyamkanu Mahanta.
His death sent shockwaves across the state and the country, prompting a joint investigation between Indian and Singaporean authorities. The Singapore Police later submitted an autopsy report to their Indian counterparts, which is now being examined in detail.
SIT Probing the Case
A 10-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by Special Director General Munna Gupta is currently probing the case. The team has so far arrested seven individuals allegedly linked to the events leading up to Zubeen’s death.
Sources indicate that investigators are now focused on reconstructing the final 48 hours of the singer’s life to establish the precise sequence of events and identify any possible foul play.
Mahanta’s Legacy in Assam Police
Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, a 1988-batch IPS officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, served as Director General of Police (DGP) before retiring in 2023. Known for his integrity and administrative acumen, Mahanta was appointed as the Chief Information Commissioner of Assam earlier this year.
His resignation marks a significant development in Assam’s bureaucratic and political landscape, coming at a time when the investigation into Zubeen Garg’s death remains a sensitive public issue.
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