NATIONAL: Zubeen Garg Death Case Twist: Allegations of Poisoning Emerge
The untimely death of Assamese singer Zubeen Garg on September 19, 2025, during a yacht outing in Singapore has evolved from a reported drowning into a high-stakes investigation laced with conspiracy claims.
What began as a celebration of Northeast Indian culture now casts a long shadow over associates, prompting questions about trust and hidden tensions in the music world.
Fans and officials alike grapple with the loss of a cultural beacon, whose hits like “Ya Ali” resonated far beyond Assam.
As probes deepen, the case teases revelations that could redefine how we view the perils of fame abroad.
Early Accounts and Shifting Narratives
Initial reports described Garg’s passing as a scuba diving mishap off St. John’s Island, but clarifications from Singapore authorities pinpointed swimming as the activity.
He was rushed to Singapore General Hospital’s ICU, where he succumbed around 2:30 p.m. IST, amid the NortheastIndia Festival preparations.
The singer, aged 52 and a multifaceted artist in music, film, and advocacy, had traveled as a cultural ambassador.
Tributes poured in from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who declared three days of state mourning.
Bandmate’s Explosive Testimony
Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, Garg’s longtime bandmate, stirred the pot during a police hearing with pointed accusations against manager Siddharth Sharma and festival organizer Shyamkanu Mahanta.
Goswami described Sharma’s odd conduct on the yacht: commandeering the vessel mid-sea, barring external drinks, and supplying beverages himself after directing an NRI associate, Tanmoy, to stand down.
He chillingly recalled Sharma’s alleged shout of “Let him go” as Garg floundered; despite the singer’s strong swimming background, he had even coached others.
Goswami highlighted Garg foaming at the mouth and nose, signs he linked to possible poisoning, and lambasted the delayed medical response, noting Sharma’s eerie calm throughout.
Arrests and Mounting Charges
Assam Police’s CID swiftly acted, registering non-bailable offenses against Sharma for murder and culpable homicide, with Mahanta facing similar scrutiny over past financial lapses.
Both were detained, Sharma in Delhi and Mahanta at Delhi airport upon return from Singapore, and remanded for 14 days.
The plot thickened with the arrests of Goswami himself and singer Amritprabha Mahanta on October 2, as all were present at the yacht party.
A second post-mortem, ordered by the Assam government on September 23, aimed to quell public doubts, confirming drowning while probing external influences.
Key investigative steps include:
- Notices to witnesses for statements within 10 days.
- The family’s formal complaint seeking a full inquiry.
- Potential CBI handover and ED/IT involvement in financial angles.
Legal Battles and Broader Implications
Mahanta sought Supreme Court protection on October 3 against media backlash and threats, denying presence at the scene and decrying biased coverage.
He urged restraints on prejudicial reporting and release of Singapore’s autopsy via the Indian High Commission.
Singapore Police shared findings ruling out initial foul play, but a coroner’s inquiry looms to timeline events.
An SIT eyes a Singapore trip for evidence, while Garg’s wife, Garima, voices faith in justice amid the turmoil.
This saga not only mourns a legend but also probes the undercurrents of event management and personal loyalties, leaving admirers to await truths that may heal or haunt.