The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Assam Police has embarked on a journey to Singapore today to unravel the mystery surrounding the sudden death of Assam’s iconic singer, Zubeen Garg. The team, traveling from New Delhi to Singapore, includes SP Sudhakar Singh and ASP Tarun Gowel from Assam Police’s CID. The SIT is expected to collect information from Singapore authorities, as well as gather details from the hotel where Zubeen stayed, the yacht involved in the incident, and the hospital where his Autopsy was conducted.
This tragic event has deeply shaken Assam’s society, sparking intense public discourse. While Singapore authorities have cited drowning as the cause of death, Zubeen’s family and fans have deemed it suspicious. The SIT’s visit to Singapore adds a new dimension to the investigation, further intensified by festival organizer Shyamkanu Mahanta’s public pledge to surrender.
Zubeen Garg, a legendary figure in Assamese music, fondly known as ‘Zubeen Da,’ tragically passed away on September 19, 2025, during a yacht trip in Singapore. He was in the city to participate in the ‘North East India Festival,’ organized by Shyamkanu Mahanta and his team. According to Singapore General Hospital, his time of death was recorded at 2:30 PM. The official death certificate from Singapore authorities lists drowning as the cause, but Assam Police, awaiting the postmortem report, consider the circumstances suspicious.
Zubeen’s wife, Garima Saikia Garg, has written to the CID, demanding that all individuals associated with the festival be questioned. According to her, the incident occurred after Zubeen was taken on a yacht trip the day before the festival.
Following Zubeen’s death, the Assam government constituted a 9-10 member SIT under the CID, led by ADGP Munna Prashad Gupta. The team includes experienced officers such as SSP Rosie Kalita, SP Sudhakar Singh, and ASP Tarun Gowel. Today, September 30, the two officers departed for Singapore to visit the site of the incident and meet individuals associated with the festival.
The purpose of this visit is to collaborate with Singapore authorities to collect forensic reports, witness statements, and other evidence. The Assam government has written to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to activate the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT), enabling direct cooperation with Singapore Police. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has held discussions with Singapore’s High Commissioner, securing assurances of full cooperation.
Shyamkanu Mahanta, the chief organizer of the festival and a prime suspect, posted on social media, stating that he will soon return to Assam and fully cooperate with the investigation. In his statement, he wrote, “I’m Coming,” signaling his intent to surrender before the SIT. Sources indicate that he was at Guwahati Airport and contacted the CID to express his willingness to surrender.
However, the SIT had already conducted raids on September 25 at Mahanta’s Guwahati residence and the home of Zubeen’s manager, Siddharth Sharma. A total of 54 FIRs have been filed against Mahanta, alleging conspiracy, murder etc. The Assam government has banned him and his organization from hosting events in the state and frozen their bank accounts. Chief Minister Sarma stated, “If Shyamkanu surrenders, he will be questioned.”
Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, a longtime musical collaborator of Zubeen, was present on the yacht trip. He is currently being questioned, though details of the allegations remain undisclosed. Other suspects include Siddharth Sharma, Sanjeev Narain, and 11 members of Singapore’s Assamese community, who have been summoned to appear by October 6. Failure to comply will result in the issuance of lookout notices.
Zubeen’s death has triggered widespread outrage in Assam, with supporters attacking Mahanta’s office and properties. The Assam Bar Council has urged lawyers not to represent the accused. Chief Minister Sarma remarked, “We are all Zubeen’s fans, but the investigation must satisfy the court. If the SIT’s probe is unsatisfactory, the CBI will be brought in.”