Zubeen Garg death: FIRs against event organiser, Assam police to probe controversy angle

According to Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Singapore officials have finished the postmortem of singer Zubeen Garg, who died on Friday. His body is anticipated to arrive in New Delhi on Saturday. The 52-year-old was slated to perform on Saturday after arriving in Singapore on Wednesday for the Northeast Festival, which takes place every year from September 19 to 21.

“His postmortem has been completed and the body was handed over to those who were with him in the presence of Indian embassy officials. The body will be embalmed there before being sent to India. He will reach New Delhi on Saturday night and from there will likely arrive in Guwahati early on Sunday on a chartered flight,” Sarma said in Guwahati.

“I spoke to the High Commissioner of Singapore, His Excellency Simon Wong, and requested a detailed enquiry into the circumstances leading to the untimely demise of our beloved Zubeen Garg. Excellency has assured me of complete cooperation in this regard,” Sarma wrote on X.

Meanwhile, Assam Chief Secretary Ravi Kota said on X that September 20–22 has been designated as state mourning. There won’t be any formal dinners, entertainment, or ceremonial events during this time, he stated.

According to the chief minister, Shyam Kanu Mahanta, the main organizer of the Northeast Festival, and his manager Siddhartha Sharma have been the subject of numerous First Information Reports (FIRs).

The well-known artist, who was on a yacht with some Assamese living in Singapore and his teammates, apparently suffered from dyspnea and a seizure while swimming. After receiving CPR and being taken to Singapore General Hospital, he was pronounced dead on Friday at approximately 2.50 pm IST.

“Multiple FIRs have been filed against Shri Syamkanu Mahanta and Shri Sidharth Sarma in connection with the unfortunate and untimely demise of our beloved Zubeen Garg. I have directed the DGP, Assam Police, to transfer all the FIRs to the CID and to register a consolidated case for a thorough investigation,” Himanta Biswa Sarma on X,” Sarma said.

Family members, including Garg’s father and wife, will pay their final respects at his home in Guwahati once the body is initially transported there. After that, it will be transported to Sarusajai Stadium, where the remains will be displayed so that people can pay their respects.

“No decision on Garg will be taken by the state government. Any decision on that will be taken after consultations with family and the public. We haven’t taken a call on how long the body will remain on display for the public to have their last view of him. It will depend on the advice of doctors and others on how long the body can be kept for display before the last rites,” said Sarma.

Sarma added that the state government will declare a holiday on the day the last rites of Garg are performed.

“It hasn’t been decided yet on when and where the cremation will take place. Any decision on whether his remains will be taken to his hometown Jorhat will be taken after consultations with family, his close associates, and organisations,” he said.