Singapore – A coroner's court in Singapore has heard that celebrated Indian singer Zubeen Garg was heavily intoxicated and had refused a life jacket before he drowned near Lazarus Island in September 2025. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) David Lim, from the Police Coast Guard, testified on January 14, 2026, during a hearing into the circumstances surrounding the singer's death.
ASP Lim stated that the 53-year-old singer had consumed alcohol and declined a life vest before entering the water from a yacht. Garg's friends attempted to persuade him to swim back to the yacht; however, he suddenly became motionless and floated face down.
The incident occurred on September 19, 2025. Garg was in Singapore to attend the North East India Festival, a cultural event organized by the Assamese community.
According to ASP Lim, Garg was pulled back onto the yacht, and CPR was administered while an emergency call was placed at 3:36 PM. A Police Coast Guard boat arrived at the yacht in under 10 minutes and escorted it to Marina South Pier, where an ambulance transported Garg to Singapore General Hospital. He was pronounced dead at 5:13 PM. The cause of death was drowning.
Videos taken by witnesses on their mobile phones were presented in court, showing Garg removing his life jacket and struggling to get back onto the yacht. Initial reports suggested the singer was scuba diving, but authorities later confirmed he was swimming. It was reported that Garg said he found it difficult to swim with the life jacket because it was oversized.
News of Zubeen Garg's death prompted an outpouring of grief from fans and cultural figures. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sadness, acknowledging Garg's significant contribution to music. Other prominent figures, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, also conveyed their condolences. The singer was not just revered as a singer, lyricist, musician, filmmaker and actor but also as a cultural force and philanthropist across the Northeast.
Zubeen Garg was a prolific artist, having recorded over 38,000 songs in 40 languages. He gained recognition in Bollywood with the song "Ya Ali" from the 2006 film Gangster. His first album, "Anamika," was released in 1992.
The coroner's inquiry is ongoing.
