Not an Accidental Death: Zubeen Garg Family Questions ‘No Foul Play’ Finding

The family of legendary Assamese singer Zubeen Garg has issued an extensive public statement asserting that his death in Singapore on September 19, 2025, “was not normal” and reiterating its unwavering resolve to pursue the truth through every legal avenue available in both India and Singapore.

In a statement released on social media by Zubeen Garg’s wife, Garima Saikia Garg, the family said it had been living in a state of shock, grief and profound trauma since the singer’s sudden demise.

“The loss was devastating and emotionally paralysing. In those first critical days, our family was simply not in a condition to take immediate legal steps,” she said.

Garima Garg stated that serious doubts regarding the circumstances of Zubeen Garg’s death arose only after videos from the yacht incident in Singapore surfaced on social media and television channels a few days later.

“When the yacht videos came into the public domain, it became clear that the death was not normal. The visuals raised several suspicions. Immediately thereafter, we lodged an FIR seeking formal legal action,” she said.

She clarified that the Singapore Police Force had initiated proceedings suo motu immediately after the incident and commenced investigations within its jurisdiction. According to the statement, the Indian High Commission in Singapore was actively involved in coordinating all legal and medical procedures, including the post-mortem examination.

“All communications with the Singapore authorities were carried out within their legal mandate. We consciously refrained from publicising or uploading these communications on social media to respect the integrity of the investigation,” she said.

Reiterating the family’s faith in the Indian legal system, Garima Garg said that even the Singapore post-mortem report was not handed over directly to the family. “It was formally requested to be transmitted through the Indian High Commission so that all proceedings remained within the framework of sovereign coordination between the two countries,” she said.

The statement further revealed that once medical circumstances permitted, the family lodged an FIR with the CID, Assam, following which the Government of Assam constituted a Special Investigation Team. Senior officers, including the SIT chief, travelled to Singapore as part of the probe.

“After months of inquiry, Assam Police filed a chargesheet running into more than 2,500 pages and, based on the evidence collected, invoked sections relating to murder,” Garima Garg said.

She emphasised that the family has remained continuously engaged with authorities in both jurisdictions and has never paused or diluted its pursuit of truth.

“We have cooperated fully with every agency, supplied all information available to us through emails, video conferencing and other official channels, and attended proceedings whenever called,” she said.

Referring to proceedings before the Singapore Coroner’s Court on January 14, 2026, Garima Garg said that a detailed statement was submitted by senior family member Manoj Kumar Borthakur, the singer’s uncle, with the assistance of two state prosecutors. She said the submission placed on record several factual questions concerning the planning of the outing on the day of the incident, Zubeen Garg’s physical and medical condition, safety measures on the yacht, the circumstances under which he entered the sea, the words spoken at that critical moment, and the response of those present on the yacht when he showed visible distress.

The family also raised concerns over what it described as clear negligence visible in the videos circulating on social media worldwide, as well as questions regarding the timing and adequacy of medical assistance and the scope of any finding of “no foul play”.

“These questions arise automatically. They are a family’s right and duty when a life ends suddenly under unclear circumstances,” Garima Garg said.

Appealing to the Government of India and the Government of Assam, the family urged both governments to monitor the proceedings in the Singapore Coroner’s Court at the highest level, take all necessary diplomatic and legal steps to ensure that every relevant fact is placed before the court, and pursue expeditious and effective prosecution in India based on the chargesheet already filed.

“Neither jurisdiction should be allowed to become an excuse for delay or dilution,” the statement said.

Reaffirming the family’s determination, Garima Garg said there would be no hesitation or compromise in the pursuit of justice.

“Our family has explored every lawful avenue available. Every step has been taken with diligence, dignity and faith in the law of the land,” she said.

She concluded by stating that Zubeen Garg belonged not only to his family but to the people of Assam.

“He belonged to its people, its music and its emotional memory. We seek only one thing—that the entire truth, every action taken, every word spoken and every moment lost, is fully and transparently examined, and that the guilty are punished to the highest level of law. For this, we will continue to walk every legal path available, solemnly, consistently and in good faith,” she said.

Also Read: Zubeen Garg Drowned After Declining Life Jacket, Intoxicated and Suffering Medical Conditions: Singapore Police Rule Out Foul Play