Allegations surface that Zubeen’s manager and Assam Association Singapore misled media, delaying truth about the singer’s tragic death.
By PC Bureau
September 20, 2025: The death of iconic Assamese singer Zubeen Garg in Singapore has snowballed into a storm of allegations and outrage. While fans across Assam and the Northeast are still reeling from the loss of their beloved artist, senior Assam’s journalist Paragmoni Aditya has accused festival organizers, individuals associated with the Assam Association Singapore, and Zubeen’s own manager of staging a deliberate cover-up, allegedly concealing the news of his death for eight to nine hours to protect business and private interests.
Allegations of Concealment
In a detailed Facebook post that has since gone viral, Aditya claimed that news of Zubeen’s death at Singapore General Hospital was deliberately withheld while key organizers of the North East Festival, including businessman and event promoter Shyamkanu Mahanta, continued with a scheduled business summit.
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Aditya wrote that instead of rushing to the hospital or alerting fans and family, organizers chose to “prioritize profit over humanity.” He alleged that Mahanta carried on with the summit, even as Zubeen’s condition had already become critical, and later misled the Assamese media by assuring them that “nothing special had happened” until around 3 PM.
Celebrated Bollywood and Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, Known for his soulful voice and immense contribution to Assamese and Bollywood music.#ZubeenGarg pic.twitter.com/dYZAZkuRWH
— Azzmin🗿 (@being_azmin) September 20, 2025
Role of Zubeen’s Manager
The journalist singled out Siddharth Sharma, Zubeen’s long-time manager, accusing him of selectively informing a few people in Guwahati while directing them to remain silent. “This was not an act of grief or shock,” Aditya alleged. “It was part of a calculated attempt to manage the flow of information while business went on as usual.”
Yacht Trip Controversy
Aditya’s post also raised questions about the events leading up to Zubeen’s death. According to him, the singer—already fatigued after a late-night concert and party on Thursday—was taken early the next morning on a yacht trip organized by Upamanyu Talukdar and Sharma. The journalist alleged that this was not an official cultural engagement, but rather a private beach party for a small circle of expatriate Assamese individuals.
He further claimed that the name of the Singapore Assam Association was used as a front to lend legitimacy to what was essentially a private social gathering.
Alleged “Misleading Propaganda”
Aditya went on to assert that every member present at the yacht trip realized the severity of the situation after the first CPR attempt failed. Yet, instead of alerting the wider public or halting ongoing events, the organizers allegedly engaged in what he called “misleading propaganda,” giving out selective and false updates about Zubeen’s health.
He claimed that even Assamese guests attending the festival were kept in the dark and provided conflicting information until the story could no longer be suppressed.
A Call for Accountability
The journalist concluded his post by demanding a comprehensive investigation into the handling of Zubeen’s last hours. He named three parties as directly accountable:
- The North East Festival organizers, particularly Shyamkanu Mahanta
- Individuals from the Assam Association Singapore, who allegedly legitimized the yacht trip
- Zubeen’s manager, Siddharth Sharma, who is accused of manipulating communication and withholding the truth
“These are not casual lapses,” Aditya wrote. “This is a grave mishandling of a cultural icon’s final hours. The people of Assam and the entire Northeast deserve to know the truth.”
Zubeen Garg was more than just a singer; he was a cultural symbol for Assam and the Northeast, with a career spanning over three decades. Known for his versatile voice and outspoken personality, he had become a household name not only in Assam but across India. His sudden death has left fans devastated, and the allegations of a cover-up have only deepened the pain, raising questions about whether commercial and personal interests were placed above respect and responsibility.
For now, Aditya’s claims remain allegations, but the growing chorus for a formal probe is likely to intensify in the coming days.
