Coroner Rules Zubeen Garg's Death as Accidental Drowning Amid Ongoing Investigations

Coroner's Findings on Zubeen Garg's Death

A coroner's inquiry in Singapore has determined that the celebrated Assamese singer Zubeen Garg passed away due to accidental drowning, as reported by a local news outlet on Wednesday.

This inquiry serves as a fact-finding mission aimed at uncovering the circumstances surrounding an individual's death.

Garg tragically lost his life on September 19 while on a yacht in Singapore, just one day prior to his scheduled performance at the North East India Festival.

A death certificate issued on September 20 confirmed drowning as the cause of death. Authorities reiterated this conclusion in statements made in October and December.

On January 14, officials revealed that Garg was found to be “severely intoxicated” and had refused to wear a life jacket while swimming.

State Coroner Adam Nakhoda stated that he found no reason to dispute the Police Coast Guard's findings after reviewing the evidence.

Contrarily, Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has consistently asserted that Garg's death was not an accident but rather a case of murder.

In connection with the incident, seven individuals have been arrested. A Special Investigation Team submitted a chargesheet on December 12, accusing four of these individuals of murder.

The four charged include Shyamkanu Mahanta, the festival organizer, Garg's manager Siddharatha Sharma, and two musicians, Shekharjyoti Goswami and Amritprava Mahanta, who were present with him on the yacht.

Additionally, Garg's cousin, Deputy Superintendent of Police Sandipan Garg, who accompanied him to Singapore, faces charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Two of his personal security officers have been accused of criminal breach of trust.