Singapore’s State Coroner has ruled that Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, 52, drowned accidentally on 19 September 2025 after consuming alcohol and refusing a life jacket during a yacht outing near Lazarus Island. The coroner’s finding, delivered on 25 March 2026, formally closed Singapore’s judicial inquiry into the death.
Coroner’s ruling and the sequence of events
State Coroner Adam Nakhoda concluded there was no reason to disagree with the Police Coast Guard’s investigative conclusion after reviewing the evidence. Video shown to the court indicated Garg’s swim strokes “appeared to be more akin to doggy paddling” and resembled those of a person who was tired or fatigued, the coroner said.
The singer was in Singapore to headline the North East India Festival and had boarded a yacht at Marina at Keppel Bay on 19 September with about 15 others. The vessel arrived near Lazarus Island at around 2:30pm. Garg initially wore a life jacket but removed it because it was too large, and later declined a smaller life jacket before entering the water a second time. He was pulled back onto the yacht after appearing to lose consciousness and was given CPR. An emergency call was made at 3:36pm and he was conveyed to Singapore General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 5:13pm. A death certificate listed the cause of death as drowning.
Autopsy findings and evidence presented
An autopsy recorded a blood alcohol level of 333 mg per 100 ml — more than four times Singapore’s legal drink‑driving threshold of 80 mg per 100 ml — a level the court heard would have significantly impaired physical coordination. Pathologist Chan Shijia of the Health Sciences Authority testified that bruising found on Garg’s chest and lips was consistent with resuscitation efforts. Medications for hypertension and epilepsy were also detected; no other drugs were found.
The coroner said it was possible Garg turned back toward the yacht because he was severely fatigued or sensed something physically wrong, and that his drowning occurred shortly after he turned back.
Indian investigation and ongoing legal developments
Garg’s death provoked strong public reaction in Assam and prompted an Indian investigation. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) filed a 12,000‑page chargesheet on 12 December 2025, charging seven individuals under India’s Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Four people — festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, manager Siddhartha Sharma, and co‑performers Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and Amritprava Mahanta — face murder charges under Section 103 of the BNS. Garg’s cousin and suspended Deputy Superintendent of Police Sandipan Garg faces a charge of culpable homicide under Section 105. Personal security officers Nandeswar Bora and Paresh Baishya face charges of criminal conspiracy and criminal breach of trust related to deposits investigators say were misappropriated; Garg’s wife has maintained those funds were used for charitable work and fully documented.
The Gauhati High Court appointed an exclusive fast‑track sessions court on 19 March 2026 to hear the case day‑to‑day. The prosecution concluded its arguments for framing of charges on 20 March; the defence has until 30 March to present submissions. Most of the accused remain in judicial custody, and several bail applications have been rejected.
Timeline
- 19 Sept 2025 — Zubeen Garg drowns near Lazarus Island; later pronounced dead at Singapore General Hospital.
- 1 Oct 2025 — Arrests of Siddhartha Sharma and Shyamkanu Mahanta in Delhi/Gurgaon.
- 12 Dec 2025 — 12,000‑page chargesheet filed by Assam SIT.
- 30 Jan 2026 — Bail applications for several accused rejected.
- 19 Mar 2026 — Fast‑track court established for day‑to‑day trial.
- 25 Mar 2026 — Singapore Coroner rules death “accidental”.
This report is based on findings presented at the Singapore coroner’s inquiry and court records from the Indian investigation.
Image Referance: https://theonlinecitizen.com/2026/03/25/singapore-coroner-rules-zubeen-garg-s-death-accidental-drowning