Recent reports have clarified that Indian singer Zubeen Garg died in Singapore after swimming, not scuba diving, as initially reported. The 52-year-old Assamese artist passed away on September 19, 2025.
Garg was in Singapore to perform at the North East India Festival, scheduled for September 20 and 21. On September 19, he joined a group of about 18 people on a yacht trip. According to witnesses and video footage, Garg jumped into the water wearing a life jacket but returned to the boat shortly after to remove it, stating that it was too large and hindering his swimming. He later became unwell and was pulled from the water. CPR was administered before he was transported to Singapore General Hospital, where he was declared dead around 2:30 p.m. Indian Standard Time. The cause of death was officially recorded as drowning by the Singapore High Commission.
Following Garg's death, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) ruled out foul play and shared the autopsy report and preliminary findings with the Indian High Commission upon request. The SPF also advised the public against sharing videos or images related to Garg's death. According to The Straits Times, a lawyer suggested that a coroner's inquiry could shed light on the events leading up to the drowning.
News of Garg's death triggered widespread grief and outrage in Assam. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his sorrow, stating that Assam had lost one of its favorite sons and declared two days of state mourning. Garg's body was returned to India and cremated with full state honors.
Complaints were filed with police in Assam, alleging negligence and mismanagement against the North East India Festival organizer, Shyamkanu Mahanta, and Garg's manager, Siddharth Sharma. These allegations were fueled by Garg's publicly known health issues, including a head injury sustained in 2022 due to a seizure for which he was on medication. Some believe that Garg was being exploited for financial gain. The Assam CID has registered a case and is investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.
Adding to the timeline of events, the North East Festival team stated that they were unaware of Garg's yacht trip, as they were meeting with Singaporean industrialists and policymakers to discuss investments in Northeast India.
Zubeen Garg, born Zubeen Borthakur, was a prominent figure in the Assamese and Bollywood music industries. He rose to fame in the 1990s and gained nationwide recognition with his hit song "Ya Ali" from the 2006 film Gangster. His death has left a void in the Indian music scene, and his contributions are mourned by fans and colleagues alike.
