Assamese Music Star Zubeen Garg Drowns in Singapore Waters
Assamese music icon Zubeen Garg tragically drowned in the waters off Lazarus Island in Singapore. The incident occurred while he was heavily intoxicated, with his blood alcohol level exceeding four times the legal limit. According to Channel News Asia, a coroner's court in Singapore heard these details on Wednesday. The inquiry is likely to record a neutral finding, such as "misadventure." Singapore police have stated they do not suspect foul play in the death.
The Fatal Day on the Yacht
On September 19, 2025, Zubeen Garg, aged 52, boarded a yacht at Marina at Keppel Bay with approximately twenty friends and colleagues. Singapore's chief investigating officer reported that Garg consumed gin, whisky, and stout during the outing. The yacht anchored between Lazarus and St John's islands. Initially, Garg swam wearing a life jacket that was too large for him. He returned to the boat, complaining of tiredness, but then re-entered the water without a life jacket, refusing a smaller one offered to him. He swam alone toward Lazarus Island.
Witnesses shouted for him to return. Garg turned back but soon became motionless and floated face down in the water. Rescuers pulled him out and administered CPR. When the Police Coast Guard arrived within nine minutes, Garg had no pulse. He was pronounced dead at Singapore General Hospital at 5:15 PM. An autopsy confirmed drowning as the cause of death.
Coroner's Inquiry and Family Concerns
Singapore coroner Adam Nakhoda is overseeing the inquiry. He allowed Garg's uncle, Manoj Kumar Borthakur, to question witnesses directly, noting that some lines of questioning were not relevant to the circumstances of death. About thirty-five witnesses are expected to testify, including yacht passengers, the captain, police officers, and paramedics.
Borthakur told the court that Garg left his hotel "alive and full of promise." Family members are seeking answers about potential delays or lapses in the medical response. Garg's wife, Garima Saikia Garg, who could not attend the proceedings, raised similar concerns.
Stark Contrast in Assam
In Assam, the narrative differs dramatically from the Singapore investigation. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has charged seven people with murder and culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Police allege financial motives behind the crime. Garg died just one day before his scheduled concert at the North East India Festival in Singapore.
Those arrested include festival organizer Shyamkanu Mahanta, Garg's manager Siddharth Sharma, cousin Sandipon Garg, two personal security officers, drummer Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, and singer Amritprabha Mahanta. They are currently lodged in two jails.
Investigators claim that Sharma siphoned off funds from Garg and invested Rs 1.1 crore in a packaged drinking water plant. This alleged financial motive is central to the murder charges in Assam. The case presents two jurisdictions moving on separate tracks: Singapore aims to clarify how Garg died, while Assam seeks accountability for who might be responsible.
Toxicology reports detected hypertension and epilepsy medication in Garg's system but no other drugs. The legal proceedings continue in both regions, highlighting the complex and conflicting accounts surrounding the beloved musician's untimely death.
