Guwahati (Assam), March 25: Renowned Indian singer Zubeen Garg’s death has been ruled as an accidental drowning by a Singapore coroner. The 52-year-old singer was found floating face down off Lazarus Island in September 2025, a day before his scheduled performance at the Northeast India Festival.
According to investigations, Garg had consumed a significant amount of alcohol, with a blood alcohol level of 333mg per 100ml, over four times the legal drink-driving limit. He was also taking medications for hypertension and epilepsy. Witnesses testified that Garg was unsteady and required assistance boarding the yacht, and despite being advised to wear a life jacket, he refused.
The coroner’s inquiry found no evidence of foul play or criminal intent, supporting the Police Coast Guard’s investigation conclusion. Garg’s family had raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding his death, but the coroner concluded that the investigation was thorough and comprehensive.
Garg’s death sparked widespread grief and protests in Assam, with fans storming his manager’s home. Several individuals, including festival organizer Shyamkanu Mahanta and manager Siddhartha Sharma, were charged with murder in India. However, the Singapore court ruled out foul play, and no charges have been filed in Singapore.
