Zubeen Garg Death Probe: Will Arrests Lead to Dark Secrets?

Assam mourns music icon Zubeen Garg as SIT probes his drowning in Singapore; authorities examine financial and logistical lapses in NEIF.

BY PC Bureau

October 1, 2025 – The arrest of Shyamkanu Mahanta, chief organizer of the North East India Festival (NEIF), and Siddharth Sharma, personal manager of Assam’s music icon Zubeen Garg, has transformed the singer’s tragic death on September 19, 2025, into a full-blown criminal investigation, raising serious questions of negligence, financial mismanagement, and possible foul play.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) is reportedly examining whether Garg’s drowning during a post-performance yacht outing in Singapore was an accident—or part of a more sinister chain of events. Authorities are focusing on lapses in supervision, emergency preparedness, and the financial and logistical management of the festival.

Zubeen Garg, 52, whose music has been synonymous with Assamese identity for decades, drowned while swimming near Lazarus Island, Singapore, during a leisure outing with 15 festival associates following his NEIF performance. Initially classified as an accidental drowning by Singaporean authorities, the incident sparked widespread outrage in Assam. Fans and cultural commentators questioned the festival’s safety protocols, alleging inadequate supervision and delayed medical response.

“This wasn’t just negligence,” a senior police official said. “We are investigating conflicts of interest, unreported payments, and procedural lapses that left Zubeen vulnerable.”

Siddharth Sharma and Shyamkanu Mahanta, the prime accused in Zubeen Garg’s untimely death, are now in police custody. The collective voice of Assam is united—demanding the harshest punishment for them so justice is served for the beloved icon. pic.twitter.com/0PxxGH7IZZ

— Nandan Pratim Sharma Bordoloi (@NANDANPRATIM) October 1, 2025

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The Arrests: Mahanta and Sharma in Custody

The arrests of Mahanta and Sharma on September 30, 2025, followed extensive coordination among Assam, Delhi, and Haryana police, alongside Interpol. Mahanta was detained at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport after returning from Singapore, while Sharma was apprehended at a Gurugram apartment where he had reportedly been in hiding. Both were remanded to 14-day police custody by the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Kamrup (Metro) for detailed questioning and evidence collection.

“Public patience has run thin,” said CM Himanta Biswa Sarma. “We are all Zubeen fans. If the SIT’s probe fails to satisfy, the CBI will take over.”

Uncovering the Festival’s Financial and Safety Failures

The SIT is scrutinizing NEIF’s financial management, alleging that festival funds may have been mismanaged or siphoned, potentially compromising safety protocols. Mahanta, a prominent entrepreneur, belongs to Assam’s elite circle, with close family ties to former DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta and Gauhati University Vice Chancellor Nani Gopal Mahanta.

Sharma, Garg’s long-time aide, faces questions over supervision lapses. Witnesses allege Garg, though wearing a life jacket, was left unsupervised, and emergency services were alerted only after a critical delay. Sharma’s public explanations on social media have done little to quell public skepticism. Investigators are also examining contracts, travel arrangements, and financial flows to identify gaps in safety planning.

Timeline of Events Leading to Arrests

Competing Narratives and Public Outrage

Garg’s widow, Garima Saikia Garg, rejected claims that her husband’s death was scuba diving related, stating it was his first swim of the day and attributing it to a possible seizure. “I was kept in the dark,” she said during rituals in Jorhat. “This was no accident—it was negligence, maybe worse.”

Protests erupted across Assam. Fans demonstrated outside Mahanta’s and Sharma’s homes, clashing with police; one individual attempted suicide. Durga Puja pandals and public spaces displayed banners demanding justice.

“The people of Assam are demanding accountability,” said Pramila Saikia, a cultural activist. “This tragedy highlights systemic failures in protecting artists, especially abroad, and underscores the urgent need for stricter safety protocols.”

Safety Lapses and Event Management

Investigators are piecing together reports from 15 individuals present during the yacht trip, including Garg’s bandmate Shekhar Jyoti Goswami. Allegations include:

• Hastily arranged yacht outing with no formal risk assessment.
• Inadequate medical preparedness and delayed emergency response.
• Possible financial irregularities affecting contract terms and performer safety.

The SIT plans a follow-up visit to Singapore for on-site reconstruction and to verify autopsy and forensic results, which may be critical in determining the cause of death.

The Bigger Picture: Artist Safety and Festival Accountability

NEIF, intended to promote Northeast Indian culture internationally, now faces scrutiny over prioritizing profits over performer safety. Critics say the tragedy exposes systemic vulnerabilities in managing artists abroad, emphasizing the need for strict regulations, detailed risk assessments, and transparent contracts.

“International events must not compromise artist safety for financial gain,” said cultural commentator Arun Jyoti Baruah. “Zubeen Garg’s death is a wake-up call for organizers, authorities, and the cultural community alike.”

As of October 1, 2025, Mahanta and Sharma remain in Guwahati Central Jail, with interrogations ongoing. Digital evidence, financial audits, and Singaporean autopsy results are expected to play a pivotal role in the investigation. Potential charges include Section 304A (causing death by negligence) and Section 337 (endangering life) of the Indian Penal Code.

Assam mourns a cultural icon whose music transcended generations, while demanding accountability, systemic reform, and a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his untimely death.