Zubeen Garg Death: Murder Case, 7 Accused and Lasting Legacy of Assam’s Iconic Singer

The death of Assamese singer and composer Zubeen Garg remains one of the most closely watched criminal cases in Assam, a year after the musician died in Singapore.

Garg, who was 52, died on September 19, 2025, after drowning while swimming off Singapore's Lazarus Island. He had travelled to Singapore in connection with the North East India Festival, where he was scheduled to perform.

While Singapore authorities concluded that the death was an accidental drowning and ruled out foul play, an investigation by the Assam Police's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) took a different direction. The Assam SIT filed a chargesheet naming seven accused, and a special fast-track court subsequently framed charges in the case.

As Garg's first death anniversary approaches, his family and fans continue to seek answers while his music remains deeply embedded in Assam's cultural life.

How did Zubeen Garg die?

According to the Singapore investigation, Garg was on a yacht trip near Lazarus Island when he entered the water.

Singapore authorities said he initially swam with a life jacket but later removed it. He subsequently entered the water again without the life jacket and became unresponsive while swimming. Rescue efforts followed, but he was pronounced dead at Singapore General Hospital.

A Singapore Coroner's Court concluded in March 2026 that Garg's death was an accidental drowning and found no evidence that anyone had forced, coerced or pushed him into the water. Singapore police subsequently said their investigation had found no evidence of foul play.

Toxicology findings reported from the Singapore investigation showed a high blood-alcohol concentration, which authorities said was consistent with severe intoxication and impaired coordination.

Why did Assam investigate the death as murder?

The situation developed differently in Assam following Garg's death.

More than 60 FIRs were lodged across the state, after which the Assam government constituted a Special Investigation Team under the CID to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death. The probe eventually treated the case as a murder investigation.

The SIT submitted a chargesheet running to around 2,500 pages, with case documents reportedly exceeding 12,000 pages and statements from nearly 300 witnesses. Investigators also travelled to Singapore as part of their probe.

The case has since moved to trial in Assam.

Who are the seven accused?

The Assam case involves seven accused:

• Shyamkanu Mahanta — organiser of the North East India Festival in Singapore; faces murder and other charges.

• Siddharth Sharma — Zubeen Garg's manager; faces murder and other charges.

• Shekhar Jyoti Goswami — a band member; faces murder and other charges.

• Amritprabha Mahanta — a singer and member of Garg's musical circle; faces murder and other charges.

• Sandipan Garg — Garg's cousin and an Assam Police DSP; faces a charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

• Nandeswar Bora — one of Garg's personal security officers.

• Prabin Baishya — another personal security officer.

The charges differ among the accused. The prosecution has invoked provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to murder, culpable homicide, criminal conspiracy and causing death by negligence, among others.

All seven accused have pleaded not guilty and are facing trial.

What happened in the Assam court?

A special fast-track court in Assam framed charges against all seven accused in May 2026.

The court ordered that the case proceed to witness examination, with the trial scheduled to be conducted on a day-to-day basis.

By September, witnesses from Singapore had begun appearing in the proceedings. A witness identified as Parikshit Sharma, who was reportedly present on the yacht, testified before the Assam court as the trial continued.

The evidence presented during the trial will ultimately determine whether the prosecution can establish its allegations against the accused.

Why are the Singapore and Assam findings different?

The Zubeen Garg case has attracted particular attention because investigations in the two countries reached different conclusions.

Singapore authorities concluded that Garg's death was an accidental drowning and found no evidence of foul play. The Singapore coroner also rejected suggestions that someone had forced him into the water.

The Assam investigation, meanwhile, alleges criminal conduct and resulted in murder charges against four of the seven accused, with different charges against the other three.

These are separate legal proceedings based on evidence gathered by different investigative authorities. The Assam trial remains ongoing, meaning the allegations against the accused have not been finally adjudicated.

Court proceedings continue

In April 2026, an Assam special court rejected bail for Shyamkanu Mahanta, with the prosecution citing concerns including the possibility that he could flee.

The prosecution has continued presenting witnesses and evidence in the fast-track proceedings.

The outcome of the Assam trial will depend on the evidence presented in court and the legal arguments of both sides. Until a final judgment is delivered, the accused remain entitled to the presumption of innocence.

Assam remembers Zubeen Garg

While the legal battle continues, Garg's cultural legacy remains highly visible across Assam.

Ahead of his first death anniversary, large numbers of fans gathered at his Kamarkuchi memorial near Guwahati. Visitors sang his songs, artists created portraits of him and admirers brought hand-woven gamosas featuring lyrics from his music.

A three-day programme called 'Zubeen Divas' is being held at his funeral site from September 18-20, with cultural programmes, prayers and musical tributes. Garg's wife Garima Saikia Garg also joined mourners at the memorial.

A voice that travelled far beyond Assam

Zubeen Garg's influence extended well beyond Assamese popular music.

He worked as a singer, composer, lyricist, actor and filmmaker and recorded songs in numerous Indian languages. His work in Assamese cinema and music established him as a major cultural figure in the Northeast.

A 2025 retrospective by The Week described Garg as having recorded around 38,000 songs in 44 languages, highlighting the enormous scale of his musical career.

For many listeners in Assam, however, his significance went beyond the number of songs he recorded. His music became closely associated with Assamese identity and everyday cultural life.

The emotional farewell

Garg's death triggered an extraordinary public response in Assam.

More than 1.5 million people were reported to have joined his final journey to Kamarkuchi near Guwahati, where he was cremated with full state honours.

The scale of the mourning reflected the unusual connection Garg had developed with audiences over decades.

His songs continue to be performed at memorial gatherings, while fans preserve his lyrics and recordings as part of Assam's contemporary cultural memory.

What happens next in the Zubeen Garg case?

The criminal trial in Assam remains ongoing, with witnesses and evidence being examined.

The central legal question is whether the prosecution can prove its allegations against the seven accused beyond the applicable legal standard. The Singapore finding of accidental drowning remains a significant part of the broader controversy, but it does not by itself determine the outcome of the separate proceedings in Assam.

As the first anniversary of Garg's death approaches, the singer's family and supporters continue to mourn him, while the court proceedings are expected to determine the legal questions surrounding his death.

For Assam, however, Zubeen Garg's story is no longer only about the circumstances of his final hours. His songs, performances and influence have ensured that his artistic legacy continues to live on among generations of listeners.