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

A coroner's inquiry in Singapore has now stated that singer-songwriter Zubeen Garg from Assam drowned in the waters off Lazarus Island on September 19, 2025, after removing his life jacket and refusing a replacement while severely intoxicated.

The inquiry stated that there was no foul play, contradicting what the Assam Government and the Assam Police have stated so far.

As per information available, Zubeen Garg was due to perform at a festival (North East India Festival) on September 20.

He was aboard a yacht party when the incident occurred. According to reported testimony from the chief investigating officer, Garg initially wore a life jacket but later took it off. When a second life jacket was offered to him, he declined.

Singapore media outlets said that witnesses reported seeing the singer attempt to swim back toward the yacht before going limp and floating face down in the water. He was quickly pulled back onto the vessel, where CPR was immediately performed, but he was pronounced dead later that day.

The court heard that Garg had a documented history of hypertension and epilepsy, with his most recent epileptic episode occurring in 2024. It remains unclear whether he took his regular anti-epilepsy medication on the day of the tragedy, as eyewitness accounts were insufficient to confirm this.

Singapore police have stated there is no evidence of foul play in the death.

Before the inquiry formally began on Wednesday, Garg's uncle addressed the court, reading a prepared statement that expressed the family's deep concerns and unanswered questions.

He described how Zubeen Garg had left his hotel room that morning "alive and full of promise," only to be lost by the end of the day. "Between those two moments lie a sequence of events the family doesn't fully understand," he told the court.

The uncle requested a detailed, chronological review of the day's events, including who organised the yacht outing, who was present with Garg, and his health and condition at each stage. He particularly sought answers about why the singer entered the sea—whether it was entirely of his own volition or if he was encouraged or even pressured by others.

He also questioned whether there had been any delay in providing medical assistance and emphasised that family members in India "all want to know the truth."

His wife, Garima Saikia Garg, who was unable to attend the proceedings in person, conveyed similar concerns through representatives. These included whether the police's determination of no foul play adequately accounted for any possible omissions, failures to act, or investigative lapses.

It may be mentioned that the Assam Police is currently investigating at least seven individuals for the mysterious death of the beloved Assamese singer. 

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Assam Police filed a detailed chargesheet in December 2025, charging seven individuals in connection with the case.

Four of them face direct murder charges. The ones facing murder charges include festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, Garg's manager Siddharth Sharma, band drummer Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, and co-singer Amritprava Mahanta. The motives cited include premeditated murder linked to financial disputes.

Of the remaining three, Garg's cousin and Assam Police officer Sandipan Garg were charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, while two personal security officers are facing allegations of criminal breach of trust over suspicious financial transactions exceeding Rs 1.1 crore. They are also accused of conspiracy and related offences.

Also Read: Manas Robin Urges Assam CM to Act on Zubeen Garg Case, 108 Workers’ Protest