A Singapore coroner’s court has ruled that celebrated singer Zubeen Garg died from accidental drowning while severely intoxicated, finding no evidence of foul play and contradicting claims by the Assam government that he was murdered.
BY PC Bureau
Singapore, January 14, 2026 — In a finding that directly contradicts claims made by the Assam government, a Singapore coroner’s court has ruled that acclaimed Indian singer Zubeen Garg died due to accidental drowning while severely intoxicated, dismissing allegations of murder advanced by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and a state-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT).
The ruling, delivered during an ongoing coroner’s inquiry, aligns with earlier assessments by the Singapore Police Force (SPF), which found no evidence of foul play. It deals a significant blow to the Assam government’s position, under which four individuals were arrested on murder charges following Sarma’s declaration in the Assam Assembly that Garg’s death was a “plain and simple murder.”
Details from the Coroner’s Inquiry
Testimony heard on January 14 revealed that Garg, 52, was severely intoxicated and not wearing a life vest when he drowned near Lazarus Island on September 19, 2025.
Assistant Superintendent of Police David Lim of the Police Coast Guard, the first witness in the inquiry, said Garg had consumed a large quantity of alcohol before jumping off a yacht into the sea. Despite repeated reminders and offers of a life vest from those on board, Garg declined.
A toxicology report confirmed a blood alcohol concentration of 333 mg per 100 ml, a level consistent with severe intoxication and impaired judgment.
According to testimony, Garg initially swam near the yacht while friends urged him to return. Moments later, he became motionless and was seen floating face down. He was pulled back onto the yacht, where friends attempted resuscitation before rushing him to Singapore General Hospital. He was pronounced dead at 5:13 pm, with the official cause of death certified as drowning.
The inquiry was attended by members of the public, as well as Garg’s uncle and nephew. Proceedings are ongoing, with further witnesses expected.
Visit to Singapore and Cultural Significance
Garg was in Singapore to attend the fourth North East India Festival, organised by the Assamese community to showcase the region’s music, culture, trade, and tourism. The event, held at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre from September 20–21, 2025, also marked 60 years of India–Singapore diplomatic relations.
Tragically, Garg’s death occurred just a day before he was scheduled to perform, turning a celebratory visit into a moment of national mourning.
Born Zubeen Borthakur on November 18, 1972, in Tura, Meghalaya, Garg became one of Northeast India’s most influential cultural figures. Named after conductor Zubin Mehta, he later adopted the surname “Garg” and built a prolific career as a singer, composer, actor, director, and philanthropist.
With over 38,000 songs recorded in more than 40 languages, Garg’s work spanned folk, classical, rock, pop, and Bollywood, including hits such as Ya Ali. Known as the “Heartthrob of Assam,” he was deeply admired for both his music and social activism.
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Conflicting Narratives from Assam
The coroner’s findings stand in sharp contrast to assertions from Assam, where Chief Minister Sarma has repeatedly claimed that Garg was murdered. In November 2025, Sarma told the Assam Assembly that the death was a deliberate killing, alleging that “one person killed him and others helped him.”
Four individuals—Shyamkanu Mahanta, Siddharth Sharma, Amritprava Mahanta, and Shekhar Jyoti Goswami—were arrested and charged under murder provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Sarma further claimed the motive behind the alleged killing would “shock the state,” triggering widespread speculation and online campaigns demanding justice.
However, Singapore authorities have consistently rejected these claims. In December 2025, the SPF issued a public statement urging restraint and reiterating that their investigations found no indication of homicide, noting that the matter was under coroner’s review.
Broader Implications
The stark divergence between the Singapore and Assam investigations has raised questions about jurisdiction, evidentiary standards, and political motivations. While Singapore’s inquiry relies on forensic evidence and eyewitness testimony pointing to an alcohol-related accident, the Assam probe appears to rest on suspicions of conspiracy.
As the coroner’s inquiry continues, its final findings may have implications for the parallel criminal case in India. For now, the ruling underscores the tragic loss of a cultural icon whose life ended abruptly amid celebration, controversy, and unresolved questions at home.
