A Singapore state coroner’s court ruled on Wednesday that the death of iconic singer Zubeen Garg was a “tragic accident” caused by drowning, found no evidence of foul play.
State Coroner Adam Nakhoda concluded that Garg’s coordination and judgment were significantly impaired by a high level of alcohol in his bloodstream at the time of the incident on September 19, 2025. The court noted that Garg had repeatedly refused to wear a properly sized life jacket before his second and fatal attempt at swimming during a private yacht outing.
The findings directly contradict the narrative maintained by the Assam government, which has labeled the incident a “plain and simple murder.” Following diplomatic intervention, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) from Assam traveled to Singapore last year to conduct its own probe. This led to a massive 12,000-page chargesheet filed in December 2025, resulting in the arrest of seven individuals, including a relative of the singer and an Assam Police officer.
While the Singapore court highlighted Garg’s medical history of hypertension and epilepsy, it found no specific evidence of a seizure during the drowning. Despite the “accidental” ruling in Singapore, criminal proceedings in Assam remain active. A fast-track court, approved for day-to-day hearings by the High Court this month, continues to investigate the case under the premise of a larger conspiracy.