Assam’s cultural icon Zubeen Garg, 52, tragically died in Singapore on September 19 in a scuba diving accident. The celebrated singer was in the city to perform at the North East India Festival when the incident occurred.
Authorities in Singapore conducted an autopsy the same day, with the death certificate citing drowning as the cause of death. Reports also suggest that an epileptic seizure, which Garg had suffered a few times over the past five years, could have contributed to the tragedy.
Despite this, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that a second post-mortem examination will be carried out at the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) on Tuesday morning.
“A new demand has cropped up on social media on Tuesday seeking another post-mortem of Garg’s body in Assam. In view of that and after taking consent of his family, the state government has decided to conduct another post-mortem on Garg’s body in Guwahati on Tuesday,” CM Sarma said.
The CM, however, admitted he was personally reluctant: “After the Singapore doctors had conducted the autopsy, I don’t think it was necessary as they have more technical expertise, but there should not be any scope for any section to indulge in any kind of politics over Zubeen.”
Doctors from AIIMS Guwahati will also be present during the fresh post-mortem. Following the procedure, Garg’s last rites will be performed with full state honours at Kamarkuchi, Sonapur, with nearly 85 family members and close associates in attendance.
Thousands of fans gathered in Guwahati on Sunday, waiting overnight in long queues to bid farewell as the singer’s body was displayed in a glass casket draped with a traditional Assamese gamosa.
Meanwhile, multiple police complaints have been filed against the organisers of the North East Festival and Garg’s manager, accusing them of foul play. The cases have been handed over to the state CID for investigation.
Second Autopsy Of Zubeen Garg’s Body To Be Conducted In Guwahati, Confirms Assam CM
