Singapore: A Singapore court was informed on Wednesday that Assamese singer Zubeen Garg was “severely intoxicated” and drowned off Lazarus Island last September after declining to wear a life jacket, according to a report by Channel News Asia.
Garg, 52, died a day before he was scheduled to perform at the North East India Festival in Singapore. During a court hearing, the chief investigating officer stated that the singer had initially worn a life jacket but later removed it and refused to put on another one that was offered to him.
The court was told that multiple witnesses saw Garg attempting to swim back to a yacht before he suddenly went limp and began floating face-down in the water. He was promptly rescued and brought back onto the yacht, where cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was administered. However, he was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
Investigators also informed the court that Garg had a medical history of hypertension and epilepsy, with his last known epileptic episode reported in 2024. Singapore police have ruled out any foul play in the case.
According to witness statements cited in the report, Garg and more than 20 others aboard the yacht, including friends and colleagues, had brought food, beverages and alcohol. Several witnesses said the singer was seen consuming alcohol, including liquor, gin, whisky and small quantities of Guinness Stout.
The Singapore court proceedings come amid parallel developments in India. Earlier this month, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Assam Police’s Criminal Investigation Department submitted a chargesheet in the case on December 12. The chargesheet reportedly runs into around 2,500 pages, with supporting documents extending to nearly 12,000 pages.
The Assam government, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has alleged a larger conspiracy behind Garg’s death. So far, seven individuals have been arrested, and four have been charged with murder. Those arrested include the festival organiser, the singer’s secretary, band members, a cousin and two personal security officers.
The state government has also constituted a five-member team of special public prosecutors to fast-track the trial. Chief Minister Sarma said senior advocate Ziaul Kamar would serve as the special public prosecutor, assisted by Brojendra Mohan Choudhury as additional PP and Kishore Dutta, Pranjal Dutta and Bikash Jamar as assistant public prosecutors.
