Bhaskarjyoti Mahanta, the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) of Assam, has resigned from his post amidst controversy surrounding the death of singer Zubeen Garg in Singapore. The resignation comes after Mahanta's brother, Shyamkanu Mahanta, was arrested in connection with the case, raising concerns about potential conflict of interest.
Zubeen Garg, a popular Assamese singer and cultural icon, died in Singapore on September 19, sparking widespread shock and speculation. He was scheduled to perform at the North East India Festival, organized by Shyamkanu Mahanta, the following day. Garg reportedly drowned while swimming in the sea. Shyamkanu Mahanta and six others have been arrested in connection with Garg's death, facing charges including criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and causing death by negligence. Later, murder charges were added.
Bhaskarjyoti Mahanta, a former Director General of Police (DGP) of Assam, was appointed as the CIC in March 2023, following his retirement from the police service. His tenure was scheduled to end in March 2026. Following his brother's arrest and the subsequent media attention, Mahanta felt it inappropriate to continue as CIC. He expressed concern that any RTI applications concerning his brother might lead to doubts or misinterpretations, compromising the integrity of the office.
According to reports, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma advised Mahanta to resign after RTI applications were filed against his brother. These applications reportedly sought details about government grants allegedly given to Shyamkanu Mahanta for organizing events.
In his resignation letter, Mahanta stated that his conscience dictated his decision to step down to avoid any perception of bias or conflict of interest. He emphasized his commitment to transparency and accountability, stating that he had already informed the Chief Minister's Office of his decision and instructed his staff to alert him immediately if any RTI query concerning his brother reached the commission. He submitted his resignation to Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya.
Mahanta highlighted the reforms he initiated during his time as CIC, including digitizing operations, enabling online applications, conducting hearings via video conference, and improving case disposal rates. He reiterated that his resignation was motivated by a desire to uphold the dignity of the office and maintain public trust in the Information Commission.
The investigation into Zubeen Garg's death is ongoing, with a 10-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by Special Director-General Munna Gupta overseeing the inquiry. The SIT is focusing on reconstructing the final 48 hours of Garg's life and investigating the presence of pharmaceutical drugs among his belongings.
