Zubeen Garg Death Case: Fifth Arrest Made as CID Investigation Expands
The investigation into Zubeen Garg’s mysterious death in Singapore has taken a major turn. Zubeen Garg’s cousin, Assam Police DSP Sandipan Garg, was arrested on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, a senior officer confirmed. Sandipan Garg was present with the singer on the yacht where he died on September 19, 2025, and is set to be produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court. This marks the fifth arrest in the case.
Earlier, four others had already been apprehended: North East India Festival chief organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, the singer’s manager Siddharth Sharma, and his band members Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and Amrit Prabha Mahanta. Authorities are questioning all five in connection with the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death.
The 52-year-old singer, widely celebrated for his Bollywood and Assamese songs, had been in Singapore to perform at the North East India Festival. The tragic incident has sparked widespread public interest, allegations of negligence, and claims of possible foul play.
The Incident in Singapore
According to official reports, Zubeen Garg drowned while swimming near a private island in Singapore. Early statements suggested he had been scuba diving, but Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma later clarified that the singer was swimming without a life jacket, despite repeated warnings from lifeguards. This discrepancy in the timeline and nature of events has fueled widespread public suspicion and demands for transparency.
Singapore authorities listed drowning as the official cause of death. However, following a public outcry in Assam, a second post-mortem was conducted after Garg’s body was flown back to India. The Assam government ordered the fresh autopsy to rule out any possibility of foul play.
Arrests and Expanding Investigation
The Assam CID has been leading the probe into the singer’s death. Following the arrests of the festival organiser, manager, and two band members, the addition of DSP Sandipan Garg brings the total to five people in custody. Investigators are examining communications, travel details, and financial records to reconstruct the singer’s final hours.
Authorities have also flagged suspicious financial transactions amounting to around ₹1 crore in accounts linked to some of the people involved. This has added a financial dimension to the investigation, raising questions about motives and possible negligence.
Allegations of Foul Play
Allegations from Garg’s wife, Garima Saikia Garg, and his bandmate suggest that foul play cannot be ruled out. Claims include the possibility that the singer may have been poisoned, and that the foreign location was deliberately chosen to cover up wrongdoing. Garima Garg has also questioned the accuracy of the Singapore autopsy, pointing to serious lapses in the initial investigation.
These claims have intensified public attention on the case, with many calling for a transparent and independent inquiry.
Public Reaction and Emotional Farewell
Garg’s death triggered an outpouring of grief across Assam and the Northeast. Upon his body’s arrival in Guwahati, tens of thousands gathered along a 25-kilometre funeral procession, halting city life. The Assam government declared a three-day state mourning to honour the singer, who was cremated with full state honours at Kamarkuchi NC village near Guwahati.
Fans described the event as one of the largest public gatherings ever witnessed in Assam, a testament to Garg’s immense popularity and influence in regional music and culture. His songs, especially Ya Ali and Mission China, had made him a household name not only in the Northeast but across India.
Political Fallout and Public Pressure
The investigation has taken on political undertones as well. Assam’s Chief Minister has warned against politicizing the case, even as opposition leaders demanded that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) take over to ensure impartiality. Congress leaders, including Gaurav Gogoi, have accused the state government of mishandling the case, while Garg’s wife, Garima, has appealed for peace and requested that “politics not cloud Zubeen’s legacy.”
The CID, however, maintains that it is acting transparently, with forensic teams re-examining digital evidence, call logs, and financial data.
Next Steps in the Investigation
The investigation is now focused on piecing together Garg’s final hours in Singapore. Authorities are examining potential negligence, coordination failures, and possible criminal intent. Sources suggest that forensic reports, banking records, and CCTV footage from the resort are being analysed to reconstruct the timeline of events.
While Singapore’s autopsy cited drowning, the inconsistencies between witness accounts, medical findings, and financial transactions have deepened public mistrust. Legal experts believe the CID may soon file preliminary charges against those detained if corroborating evidence is found.
A Voice Silenced, Questions Unanswered
Zubeen Garg’s passing remains one of India’s most shocking celebrity deaths in recent memory. For millions of fans, his loss feels personal — and their demand is simple: truth and accountability.
As Assam mourns its cultural icon, the ongoing investigation seeks not just to determine how he died, but to ensure that justice, however delayed, is ultimately delivered.
