Singapore Police Conclude Probe into Zubeen Garg’s Death, Autopsy Report Handed to Indian Embassy

The tragic and sudden death of celebrated Assamese singer Zubeen Garg in Singapore has seen significant developments, with the Singapore Police Force (SPF) officially concluding its preliminary investigation and transmitting its findings to Indian authorities. The 52-year-old cultural icon passed away on September 19 in Singapore, where he was scheduled to perform at the North East India Festival.

According to reports, the Singapore Police have ruled out foul play in the singer’s death, confirming that the cause of death was drowning while swimming off a Singapore island, not during a scuba diving session as initially speculated. This information is based on the death certificate issued by Singapore authorities and the autopsy report. The SPF has extended a copy of the autopsy report, along with preliminary findings on Garg’s death, to the High Commission of India, upon its request. This marks a crucial step in the ongoing cross-border inquiry into the circumstances leading to the tragedy.

Back in India, the news has sparked a massive public outcry in Assam, leading to a complex police investigation. The Assam government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to probe the incident. The SIT has registered a case against the North East India Festival organiser, Shyamkanu Mahanta, and Garg’s manager, Siddharth Sharma, among others, under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, criminal conspiracy, and causing death by negligence. Both Mahanta and Sharma have been arrested and are currently in police custody for interrogation.

Zubeen Garg’s wife, Garima Saikia Garg, has been a vocal figure in demanding clarity and justice, expressing her suspicion over negligence and mismanagement on the part of those accompanying her husband. She questioned why her husband, who was known to have a pre-existing medical condition involving seizures and was advised by doctors to avoid water activities, was taken on a yacht trip and allowed to swim without a life jacket. She expressed confidence in the ongoing investigation, stating her full faith in the legal system to uncover the complete truth surrounding her husband’s final moments.

The Assam government has also formally requested the Ministry of Home Affairs to invoke the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) with Singapore. This is intended to ensure full cooperation from Singaporean authorities, providing the Indian probe team access to further case details and assistance in their comprehensive investigation. As the investigation deepens, the focus remains on understanding the sequence of events that led to the death of the beloved singer and ensuring accountability.