The Singapore Police Force (SPF) has stated that its ongoing investigation into the death of renowned Assamese singer Zubeen Garg has not found any evidence of foul play. This update comes amidst significant parallel proceedings in India, where a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has filed a voluminous chargesheet against seven individuals.
Singapore Police Investigation and Coroner's Process
In an official statement released on Friday, the SPF addressed the online speculation and media reports from India regarding the case. The police confirmed that the probe is being conducted under the Singapore Coroners Act, 2010. Based on the findings so far, the SPF does not suspect foul play in Mr. Garg's death.
The police clarified that the next step is a Coroner's Inquiry (CI), a formal fact-finding process to conclusively establish the cause and circumstances surrounding the death. Hearings for this inquiry are currently scheduled for January and February 2026. Once completed, the findings will be submitted to the State Coroner and subsequently made public. The SPF has urged the public to refrain from speculation and circulating unverified information while the investigations are ongoing.
Assam SIT's Parallel Probe and Chargesheet
In a stark contrast to the Singapore police's findings, the Assam government's SIT has pursued a vigorous investigation in India. Garg had travelled to Singapore to attend the North East India Festival (NEIF) and died on 19 September under mysterious circumstances while swimming in the sea.
The SIT, on 12 December, submitted a massive chargesheet at the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Guwahati. The main chargesheet runs into approximately 2,500 pages and is supported by nearly 12,000 pages of documents. The court has set 22 December as the next date for hearing.
In connection with their probe, the SIT has arrested seven people:
- Event organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta
- Garg's manager Siddharth Sharma
- Bandmate Shekhar Jyoti Goswami
- Co-singer Amritprava Mahanta
- Garg's cousin Sandipan Garg
- Two personal security officers, Nandeswar Bora and Paresh Baishya
Assam Police have charged four of the accused—Shyamkanu Mahanta, Siddharth Sharma, Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, and Amritprava Mahanta—with murder under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
International Coordination and Future Proceedings
Highlighting the international dimension of the case, a team from the Assam SIT, led by Special DGP (CID) Munna Prasad Gupta, visited Singapore on 21 October to coordinate with local authorities. The SIT has so far recorded statements from more than 300 individuals as part of its extensive investigation.
The case now moves on two distinct tracks: the judicial process in Assam based on the SIT's chargesheet and the upcoming Coroner's Inquiry in Singapore in 2026. The findings from Singapore's coroner are expected to provide an official and definitive account of the circumstances leading to Zubeen Garg's tragic death.
