Family of Late Singer Zubeen Garg Lodges Complaint with Assam CID Over Suspicious Death in Singapore

In a bid for clarity amid mounting public outcry, the family of renowned Assamese singer Zubeen Garg has lodged an online complaint with the Assam Criminal Investigation Department (CID), sources close to the matter revealed. The probe, now underway, aims to unravel the events surrounding the 52-year-old musician’s tragic death during a swim in Singapore’s waters on September 19.

The grievance, submitted by Garg’s wife, Garima Saikia Garg, alongside his sister-in-law Pamie Barthakur and uncle Manoj Borthakur, points fingers at the singer’s manager, Sidharth Sarma, and the coordinator of Singapore’s Northeast India Festival, Syamkanu Mahanta, for alleged negligence. It also implicates other participants in the trip, including Assamese expatriates who extended the invitation to the ill-fated yacht gathering, sources indicated.

Demanding a thorough examination of the incident, the family has urged authorities to leave no stone unturned in establishing accountability. The CID has formally received the filing and is gearing up to launch its inquiry, with officials emphasizing the need for full disclosure.

Garg had traveled to Singapore ahead of the three-day North East India Festival, slated to kick off on September 20, but the event was abruptly called off following his demise. His body was discovered floating face-down in the sea, prompting swift action from investigators.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) handling the case has issued summons to Sarma, Mahanta, and about a dozen other Assam natives who joined Garg on the yacht, requiring their appearance by October 6. “We have given them time till October 6. The summons were served through the Indian Embassy in Singapore. Lookout notices have already been issued against Sidhartha Sarma and Syamkanu Mahanta through Interpol to prevent them from fleeing to any other country,” Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated.

Protests have erupted across Assam, with demonstrators calling for swift arrests and an impartial investigation. In response, Chief Minister Sarma has pledged that justice will be pursued relentlessly, assuring residents that all involved parties will face scrutiny.

As the inquiry intensifies, the case underscores the vulnerabilities faced by artists abroad and the imperative for robust safety measures at international events. Sources told NDTV that the family’s action reflects a broader push for answers in a loss that has shaken the cultural landscape of the Northeast.