Singer Zubeen Garg’s Death an Accident, Says Singapore Coroner

The death of beloved Assamese music icon Zubeen Garg was the result of a tragic accident, a coroner’s court in Singapore has ruled, bringing a measure of closure to months of grief, speculation and public outrage.

Delivering his findings on Wednesday, State Coroner Adam Nakhoda said investigations by the Singapore Police Coast Guard were thorough and found no evidence of foul play. The court concluded that Garg died from accidental drowning during a private yacht outing near Lazarus Island on September 19, 2025.

Garg had travelled to Singapore for a cultural performance and was scheduled to perform at the North East India Festival. What was meant to be a brief recreational outing turned into a devastating tragedy.

During the inquiry, witnesses said the singer had consumed alcohol before boarding the yacht and appeared unsteady. He initially entered the water wearing a life jacket but later removed it because it did not fit properly. After returning to the yacht exhausted from his first swim, he decided to go back into the water.

Despite being offered a properly sized life jacket, he declined to wear it. Video evidence reviewed by investigators showed his swimming becoming increasingly laboured. He eventually turned back towards the yacht, possibly due to fatigue or discomfort, before becoming unresponsive in the water.

Those around him rushed to help and managed to bring him back onboard. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was administered while emergency services were called. Garg was later taken to Singapore General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

A post-mortem examination confirmed drowning as the cause of death. Toxicology results revealed a high level of alcohol in his bloodstream, which the court said would have significantly affected his coordination and judgement. The coroner also noted Garg’s medical history, including hypertension and epilepsy, but said there was not enough evidence to conclude that he suffered a seizure at the time.

The ruling directly addressed concerns raised by Garg’s family and supporters. The court said there was no indication that anyone had forced him into the water or deliberately contributed to his death.

Back home in Assam, however, the tragedy had sparked intense public reaction, protests and demands for accountability. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier described the incident as a possible murder.

The state government later formed a Special Investigation Team, which travelled to Singapore to probe the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death. A chargesheet running into thousands of pages was filed in December 2025, and several people were arrested. A fast-track court is currently hearing the case.

While the Singapore court’s ruling has formally closed the question of foul play there, the emotional and legal journey surrounding the loss of one of Assam’s most loved voices is far from over.