Zubeen Garg's death: Assam CM asks Centre to invoke MLAT with Singapore to 'secure justice'- what it means

NEW DELHI: Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said that the Assam government has requested the centre to invoke the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) with Singapore for coordination on the case related to the demise of singer Zubeen Garg .

Writing on social media platform X, Biswas said, "The government of Assam has submitted a formal request to the ministry of home affairs to invoke the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) with Singapore in connection with the unfortunate demise of our beloved Zubeen."

"Once invoked, this will ensure full cooperation from Singaporean authorities—giving us access to case details and assistance to bring back the accused and secure justice ," the chief misniter added.

The Govt of Assam has submitted a formal request to the Ministry of Home Affairs to invoke the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) with Singapore in connection with the unfortunate demise of our beloved Zubeen.
Once invoked, this will ensure full cooperation from Singaporean…

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) September 29, 2025

Meanwhile, Zubeen's family on Sunday filed a complaint with the state CID, demanding a thorough investigation into the singer’s death in Singapore.

The Assam Police has been investigating the death, questioning people related to him and searching locations. A nine-member SIT was formed after a wave of 55 FIRs and mounting public outrage.

Also read: Zubeen was the Kohinoor of Assamese culture: PM Modi

Zubeen, 52, drowned while swimming in Singapore on September 19. While the Singapore authorities said he died of drowning, his wife later said the singer had a seizure attack during the second swim.

What is MLAT

Section 105 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) allows the Central government to make arrangements with foreign governments to serve summons, warrants, or other judicial orders across countries, according to the ministry of external affairs.

Any summons, warrants, or judicial orders received are sent to the relevant Indian embassy or mission. The embassy then coordinates with the designated Central authority in that country to take further action.

According to the CBI's website, India has MLAT with 40 countries.

Ministry of home affairs is the nodal ministry and the Central authority for seeking and providing mutual legal assistance in criminal law matters.