Political Tensions Rise in Assam Following Zubeen Garg's Death Investigation

Political Fallout Over Zubeen Garg's Death

Guwahati, Jan 16: A significant political clash has erupted in Assam regarding the passing of cultural figure Zubeen Garg. This follows a coroner's inquiry in Singapore that dismissed any foul play, contradicting Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's claims of murder.

In response to Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi's criticisms of the Assam government's position, Sarma asserted on Friday that the apprehension of suspects in the case is a point of pride for the state.

“This is encouraging news. While Singapore could not detain Siddhartha Sharma and Shyamkanu Mahanta, Assam succeeded. Instead of facing criticism, we deserve gratitude. Assam Police has performed better than Singapore. I am unsure of their reasoning,” Sarma defended the actions of the state government.

Gogoi previously launched a fierce critique of the Chief Minister, emphasizing the glaring inconsistency between the Assam government's assertions and the findings from Singapore.

“The coroner appointed by Singapore concluded that there was no foul play after reviewing all evidence related to Zubeen Garg’s death. The people of Assam must now decide whom to trust: the Singapore authorities or Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma?” Gogoi questioned.

He further highlighted that Sarma had consistently claimed, both publicly and in the Assam Legislative Assembly, that Garg was murdered.

“Why are the statements from the two governments conflicting? If the Assam government asserts murder, why does the Singapore government rule out foul play? Which government is failing in its duty and misrepresenting the facts, the Singapore government or the Assam government?” Gogoi inquired.

This political dispute arises in the context of revelations from the ongoing coroner’s inquiry in Singapore regarding Garg’s death.

Details from the hearing indicate that the 53-year-old singer was heavily intoxicated and not wearing a life jacket when he drowned near Lazarus Island in September 2025.

During his testimony at the Coroner’s Court, Assistant Superintendent of Police David Lim from the Police Coast Guard stated that Garg had consumed alcohol and had repeatedly declined to wear a life vest before jumping from a yacht into the water.

Lim was the first witness to testify when the inquiry commenced on January 14.

Various Singaporean media outlets, including The Straits Times and Channel News Asia, reported that the coroner's proceedings found no evidence of criminal activity, reinforcing the conclusion of accidental drowning.

In the midst of the political debate, Garg’s wife Garima Saikia Garg called on the Governments of India and Assam to closely oversee the proceedings in both nations and ensure that all pertinent facts are presented to the courts.

She expressed that the family seeks a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Garg’s death, advocating for justice through lawful means.

In a social media post, she explained that the family was initially too traumatized to pursue immediate legal action following Garg’s unexpected death in Singapore on September 19, 2025, and only moved forward after videos from the yacht surfaced online, raising serious concerns.

She emphasized that Singaporean authorities had initiated an inquiry on their own accord, with the Indian High Commission facilitating legal and medical processes, and that the family cooperated fully with investigators in both countries while intentionally refraining from public comments to maintain the integrity of the investigation.

She added that the Assam government later established a Special Investigation Team, which conducted a thorough inquiry, traveled to Singapore, and filed a charge sheet including murder charges. The family also presented detailed concerns to the Singapore Coroner’s Court on January 14, addressing issues related to safety protocols, medical responses, and the circumstances leading to Garg entering the sea.

Zubeen Garg’s death has sparked widespread sorrow and speculation in Assam, with the state government previously asserting foul play and launching its own investigation.