The investigation into the death of Assamese singer Zubeen Garg has intensified with the arrest of his manager, Siddhartha Sharma, and the chief organizer of the North East India Festival (NEIF) in Singapore, Shyamkanu Mahanta. Garg died on September 19, 2025, in Singapore, reportedly due to drowning.
Arrests and Custody
Siddhartha Sharma was apprehended from an apartment in Gurugram, while Shyamkanu Mahanta was detained at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport upon his arrival from Singapore. Both were brought to Guwahati early Wednesday morning. The Kamrup Chief Judicial Magistrate remanded them to 14 days of police custody. Due to the Durga Puja holidays, they were produced at the residence of the judge. Following their arrest, the two were taken to the CID office for further interrogation.
Investigation Details
The Assam government has formed a 10-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by Special DGP M.P. Gupta, to probe the circumstances surrounding Garg's death. The SIT has invoked an international treaty with Singapore to help gather evidence and bring more clarity to the case. Notices were earlier served to Mahanta and Sharma, asking them to appear before the SIT, but they allegedly failed to cooperate, prompting the issuance of a 'lookout notice'. According to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the authorities even sought assistance from Interpol.
The duo has been booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, criminal conspiracy, and causing death by negligence. The CID has also initiated a separate probe against Mahanta for allegedly being involved in financial crimes and acquiring benami properties by "money laundering". An FIR was lodged after the CID's special investigation team raided Mahanta's residence and seized several documents.
Reactions
Zubeen Garg's wife, Garima Saikia Garg, expressed satisfaction with the arrests and hopes the truth behind her husband's final moments will emerge soon. She stated that she has full faith in the investigating team.
Following the incident and the ensuing investigation, Sharma stated that he had been receiving death threats and abuse, which made him fear for his safety and the safety of those around him, which prompted him to remain in Delhi. He also clarified that Zubeen Garg Music LLP was their only joint business venture and that Zubeen held 60% ownership. Sharma assured that the remaining balance would be transferred to Garg's family.
Background
Zubeen Garg, a beloved figure in Assam's cultural scene, died on September 19 in Singapore. He reportedly developed breathing difficulties while swimming during a yacht outing and was rushed to a hospital, where doctors were unable to save him. Singapore authorities cited drowning as the preliminary cause of death. Garg had traveled to Singapore to attend the 4th edition of the NorthEast India Festival, organized by Mahanta’s company.
