Singapore police have told a court that Assamese singer Zubeen Garg was “severely intoxicated” and declined to wear a life jacket before drowning off Lazarus Island in September last year.
Garg, 52, had travelled to Singapore to perform at the North East India Festival and died a day before the scheduled event. During a hearing on Wednesday, the chief investigating officer informed the court that the singer initially wore a life jacket but later removed it and refused to put on another one that was offered to him.
Witnesses told investigators that Garg was seen attempting to swim back to a yacht when he suddenly went limp and began floating face-down in the water. He was rescued and brought back onboard, where cardiopulmonary resuscitation was administered, but he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
The court was also informed that Garg had been drinking alcohol prior to the incident. Witnesses said he had consumed liquor, gin and whisky, along with a few sips of Guinness Stout. The officer added that more than 20 people, including friends and colleagues, were present on the yacht and that snacks, drinks and alcohol had been brought onboard.
Also read: Trial of seven accused starts in Zubeen Garg death case
According to the testimony, Garg had a medical history of hypertension and epilepsy, with his last known epileptic episode reported in 2024. Singapore police told the court that no foul play was detected in their investigation.
The hearing comes amid parallel developments in India, where the Assam Police’s Criminal Investigation Department has concluded a separate probe. On December 12, a Special Investigation Team submitted a charge sheet running into thousands of pages, alleging conspiracy and murder.
The Assam government has maintained that Garg’s death involved criminal elements and has arrested seven people in connection with the case. Four of them have been charged with murder, including a festival organiser, the singer’s secretary, band members, a cousin and two personal security officers.
The state government has also appointed a five-member team of special public prosecutors to pursue the case. “A team of special public prosecutors (PPs) will take forward the legal battle. Senior advocate Ziaul Kamar will be the special PP. Brojendra Mohan Choudhury will be the additional PP, and Kishore Dutta, Pranjal Dutta and Bikash Jamar will be the assistant PPs,” Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
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