Accidental drowning ruling: Singapore court rules Zubeen Garg's death an accident; Assam police case intensifies with new revelations
Guwahati: The mystery surrounding the tragic death of Assamese music legend Zubeen Garg has been laid to rest, at least in Singapore, with the country’s Coroner’s Court findings ruling it an accidental drowning on Wednesday and affirming the initial coast guard’s finding that no foul play was involved.
The case however remains far from closure in Assam with the Gauhati High Court setting up a fast-track sessions court to hear the matter on a day-to-day basis, after the CID Special Investigation Team (SIT) filed its charge sheet in December.
The case being heard in a sessions court will be transferred to fast-track court.
Reacting to the Singapore development, Sarma said, “The Singapore Coroner’s verdict has only reinforced what we have been saying all along. They confirmed Zubeen Garg consumed liquor — with a blood alcohol level of 333 mg — and that he drank the previous night. We too had said the same, except we pointed out that he was made to drink with a motive. Today’s judgment proves Assam Police is on the right track. This ruling strengthens our case.”
He added, “People of Assam will now realise how sincerely we worked, keeping the case away from politics. Had we gone to Singapore, we could not have achieved this clarity. The bank accounts are here, the evidence is here — there was no point in going abroad. Today’s verdict has vindicated our decision.”
The Assam Police SIT named seven accused—four charged with murder, one with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and two others with financial anomalies linked to the singer. All seven are currently lodged in different jails.
CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, speaking in the assembly last November, said that Garg’s death was “plain and simple murder,” adding, “one person killed him and others helped him.”
With the Singapore verdict Zubeen’s death is now poised to be a potent rallying point across party lines in the run-up to the polls on April 9.
Expressing strong dismay over the Singapore ruling Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Gaurav Gogoi said the verdict has only deepened doubts instead of resolving them.
Gogoi recalled that after Garg’s death, the centre and Singapore had signed a special legal agreement to coordinate investigations. He noted that the Assam Police SIT had travelled to Singapore, raising expectations of information exchange.
“The chief minister had stated in the assembly that Zubeen Garg was murdered. At the same time, proceedings were ongoing in Singapore and hearings had begun. However, the Singapore investigation concluded that it was a natural death, and today the court has delivered its verdict based on that finding,” Gogoi said.
He alleged that the ruling has provided relief to the main accused, Shyamkanu Mahanta and Siddhartha Sharma, and questioned the coordination between the two governments. “People of Assam are now confused. Today’s verdict will benefit the accused,” he remarked.
Gogoi also said that the chief minister frequently makes statements about him and the Congress party. “Himanta Biswa Sarma himself had said that if justice is not delivered to Zubeen Garg before the Assembly elections, people of Assam should not vote for the BJP. Does he remember that statement today?” Gogoi questioned.
He added, “People are finding it difficult to trust the investigation into Zubeen Garg’s death. They are watching and wondering what is really happening. Instead of ensuring justice, the BJP has resorted to character assassination of Zubeen Garg. The Chief Minister does not want to speak on this matter. We never expected such a verdict in Zubeen’s case, and like us, many others are finding it hard to believe.”
In Singapore, Garg’s uncle Manoj Kumar Borthakur, who was present at the Coronoer’;s court urged political parties in a post on social media not to exploit the singer’s name during the election season. “Many are using Zubeen’s name to sway voters. I urge them not to do so. Because, during his lifetime, these same people had ignored him,” he posted on Facebook.
Singapore General Hospital had earlier listed the cause of death of Garg as drowning. Testimony before the Coroner’s Court revealed that Garg had consumed alcohol and refused a life vest before jumping off a yacht on Sept 19, 2025, a day before he was scheduled to perform at the North East India Festival in Singapore, The Straits Times reported, which was posted by the Singapore embassy in India.
State Coroner Adam Nakhoda, dismissing concerns raised by Garg’s widow and uncle, ruled that he had voluntarily joined the yacht trip and swam. “There was nothing untoward or sinister about the invitation,” Nakhoda said, adding that swimmers tried their best to save him.
Defending the integrity of the Singapore investigation, the Coroner ruled that Garg’s death was “simply due to an unfortunate and tragic accidental drowning.” He stressed there was no evidence that Garg was forced or held underwater.
Straits Times reported that reviewing video footage, Nakhoda noted Garg’s strokes resembled “doggy paddling” and reflected exhaustion. “It was apparent he was already exhausted by the short swim. He was unable to get onto the yacht himself and required assistance,” the coroner observed.
ASP Lim said a Police Coast Guard boat reached the yacht in under 10 minutes, guiding it to Marina South Pier, where an ambulance rushed Garg to hospital. He was pronounced dead at 5.13 pm. The coroner further clarified that there was no delay in administering first aid or in transporting Garg to medical care.
The case however remains far from closure in Assam with the Gauhati High Court setting up a fast-track sessions court to hear the matter on a day-to-day basis, after the CID Special Investigation Team (SIT) filed its charge sheet in December.
The case being heard in a sessions court will be transferred to fast-track court.
Reacting to the Singapore development, Sarma said, “The Singapore Coroner’s verdict has only reinforced what we have been saying all along. They confirmed Zubeen Garg consumed liquor — with a blood alcohol level of 333 mg — and that he drank the previous night. We too had said the same, except we pointed out that he was made to drink with a motive. Today’s judgment proves Assam Police is on the right track. This ruling strengthens our case.”
He added, “People of Assam will now realise how sincerely we worked, keeping the case away from politics. Had we gone to Singapore, we could not have achieved this clarity. The bank accounts are here, the evidence is here — there was no point in going abroad. Today’s verdict has vindicated our decision.”
The Assam Police SIT named seven accused—four charged with murder, one with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and two others with financial anomalies linked to the singer. All seven are currently lodged in different jails.
CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, speaking in the assembly last November, said that Garg’s death was “plain and simple murder,” adding, “one person killed him and others helped him.”
With the Singapore verdict Zubeen’s death is now poised to be a potent rallying point across party lines in the run-up to the polls on April 9.
Expressing strong dismay over the Singapore ruling Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Gaurav Gogoi said the verdict has only deepened doubts instead of resolving them.
Gogoi recalled that after Garg’s death, the centre and Singapore had signed a special legal agreement to coordinate investigations. He noted that the Assam Police SIT had travelled to Singapore, raising expectations of information exchange.
“The chief minister had stated in the assembly that Zubeen Garg was murdered. At the same time, proceedings were ongoing in Singapore and hearings had begun. However, the Singapore investigation concluded that it was a natural death, and today the court has delivered its verdict based on that finding,” Gogoi said.
He alleged that the ruling has provided relief to the main accused, Shyamkanu Mahanta and Siddhartha Sharma, and questioned the coordination between the two governments. “People of Assam are now confused. Today’s verdict will benefit the accused,” he remarked.
Gogoi also said that the chief minister frequently makes statements about him and the Congress party. “Himanta Biswa Sarma himself had said that if justice is not delivered to Zubeen Garg before the Assembly elections, people of Assam should not vote for the BJP. Does he remember that statement today?” Gogoi questioned.
He added, “People are finding it difficult to trust the investigation into Zubeen Garg’s death. They are watching and wondering what is really happening. Instead of ensuring justice, the BJP has resorted to character assassination of Zubeen Garg. The Chief Minister does not want to speak on this matter. We never expected such a verdict in Zubeen’s case, and like us, many others are finding it hard to believe.”
In Singapore, Garg’s uncle Manoj Kumar Borthakur, who was present at the Coronoer’;s court urged political parties in a post on social media not to exploit the singer’s name during the election season. “Many are using Zubeen’s name to sway voters. I urge them not to do so. Because, during his lifetime, these same people had ignored him,” he posted on Facebook.
Singapore General Hospital had earlier listed the cause of death of Garg as drowning. Testimony before the Coroner’s Court revealed that Garg had consumed alcohol and refused a life vest before jumping off a yacht on Sept 19, 2025, a day before he was scheduled to perform at the North East India Festival in Singapore, The Straits Times reported, which was posted by the Singapore embassy in India.
State Coroner Adam Nakhoda, dismissing concerns raised by Garg’s widow and uncle, ruled that he had voluntarily joined the yacht trip and swam. “There was nothing untoward or sinister about the invitation,” Nakhoda said, adding that swimmers tried their best to save him.
Defending the integrity of the Singapore investigation, the Coroner ruled that Garg’s death was “simply due to an unfortunate and tragic accidental drowning.” He stressed there was no evidence that Garg was forced or held underwater.
Straits Times reported that reviewing video footage, Nakhoda noted Garg’s strokes resembled “doggy paddling” and reflected exhaustion. “It was apparent he was already exhausted by the short swim. He was unable to get onto the yacht himself and required assistance,” the coroner observed.
ASP Lim said a Police Coast Guard boat reached the yacht in under 10 minutes, guiding it to Marina South Pier, where an ambulance rushed Garg to hospital. He was pronounced dead at 5.13 pm. The coroner further clarified that there was no delay in administering first aid or in transporting Garg to medical care.
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