Singapore coroner rules Zubeen Garg's death accidental drowning

Singapore's State Coroner Adam Nakhoda has ruled that the death of Assamese singer Zubeen Garg on 19 September 2025 was an accidental drowning, formally closing the city-state's judicial inquiry into one of India's most closely watched celebrity deaths in recent years, according to The Straits Times.

Delivering his findings on 25 March 2026, Nakhoda said there was no reason to disagree with the Police Coast Guard's investigative conclusion after reviewing all evidence before the court. A death certificate issued by the Singapore General Hospital listed the cause of death as drowning.

Garg, aged 52, was in Singapore to headline the North East India Festival, a cultural event organised by the Assamese community. He was scheduled to perform on 20 September.

The day before the performance, Garg and approximately 15 others boarded a yacht at Marina at Keppel Bay at around 2pm, The Straits Times reported.

Alcohol and the fatal swim

The vessel's captain testified on 14 January 2026, the first day of the inquiry, that he observed several passengers, including Garg, drinking alcohol before boarding. The singer was so unsteady on his feet that friends had to hold his arms as he boarded.

The captain's assistant told the court that no one had compelled Garg to consume alcohol or enter the water. He added that the singer and his entourage had been informed aboard the yacht of the requirement to wear life jackets before swimming.

At approximately 2.30pm, the group arrived near Lazarus Island. Garg initially donned a life jacket and entered the water, but removed it, finding it too large. He had to be helped back onto the yacht, breathing heavily.

Garg subsequently decided to join another man for a second swim towards Lazarus Island. He was offered a smaller life jacket but refused to wear it. Four others followed him into the water after observing that he had not put on the vest.

Coroner's findings on the fatal sequence

"Having reviewed video evidence, his swim strokes appeared to be more akin to doggy paddling. It resembled the swim stroke of a person who was tired or fatigued," Nakhoda stated in his findings.

Garg at some point turned back towards the yacht. Nakhoda said it was possible he did so because he was severely fatigued or sensed something was physically wrong.

"Seeing as his drowning occurred shortly after he turned back and swam back towards the yacht, I found it was possible he decided to do so as he was very fatigued or he felt something was not right with himself physically," the coroner said.

Garg appeared to lose consciousness, and his face became submerged. He was pulled back onto the yacht, where cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was administered. An emergency call was made at 3.36pm.

A Police Coast Guard vessel was dispatched and arrived in under 10 minutes. The yacht was then guided to Marina South Pier, where an ambulance conveyed Garg to Singapore General Hospital. He was pronounced dead at 5.13pm.

Autopsy findings

An autopsy found that Garg had a blood alcohol level of 333mg per 100ml — more than four times Singapore's legal drink-driving threshold of 80mg per 100ml — a level the court heard would have significantly impaired his physical coordination.

Pathologist Chan Shijia of the Health Sciences Authority testified that several injuries were found on Garg's body, including bruising to his chest and lips. These were consistent with resuscitation efforts, the pathologist said.

Medications for hypertension and epilepsy — conditions Garg had a history of — were also detected in his blood. No other drugs were found.

Indian investigation and murder charges

Garg's death triggered immediate and intense public reaction in Assam. Fans stormed the home of his manager, Siddhartha Sharma, in Guwahati, and clashes broke out between protesters and police.

Responding to public pressure, the Assam government ordered a second autopsy, formed a judicial inquiry led by a Gauhati High Court judge, and established a Special Investigation Team (SIT).

The SIT filed a 12,000-page chargesheet on 12 December 2025, formally charging seven individuals under India's Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Four individuals — 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.

The conspiracy charge against the two security officers relates to deposits exceeding Rs 11.1 million found in their accounts, which investigators allege was misappropriated. Garg's wife, Garima Saikia Garg, has maintained the funds were used for the singer's charitable work and are fully documented.

Prosecutors recently argued before the court that Amritprava Mahanta allegedly encouraged Garg to consume excessive alcohol and later attempted to conceal her presence on the yacht from Singapore police.

Fast-track trial in Assam

The Gauhati High Court appointed an exclusive fast-track sessions court on 19 March 2026 to hear the case on a day-to-day basis, presided over by Judge Sharmila Bhuyan. The move followed intense public interest and a request from the Assam cabinet.

The prosecution concluded its arguments for the framing of charges on 20 March. The defence has been given until 30 March to present its submissions.

Most of the accused remain in judicial custody. A court on 30 January 2026 rejected bail applications from Amritprava Mahanta and both security officers, citing the serious nature of the charges.

Mahanta and Sandipan Garg subsequently withdrew their own bail petitions. Sharma has recently filed a discharge petition seeking to be released from the charges, which the court is yet to hear.