On March 25, 2026, Singapore state coroner Adam Nakhoda ruled that Assam music icon Zubeen Garg died from an accidental drowning and found no evidence of foul play. Delivering his findings, Nakhoda upheld the conclusions of the Police Coast Guard, calling the inquiry “comprehensive and thorough,” and rejected family allegations of coercion or criminal intent in the events that led to Garg’s death.
The coroner said the 52-year‑old’s death on September 19, 2025, in waters off Lazarus Island was “simply due to an unfortunate and tragic accidental drowning,” and clarified that “no individual had pushed, forced, or held him underwater.” Garg had been in Singapore to perform at the North East India Festival, an event marking 60 years of diplomatic ties between India and Singapore.
According to the report, Garg joined a leisure yacht outing of about 20 people anchored between Lazarus Island and St John’s Island, where passengers swam, kayaked and drank socially. He initially entered the water wearing a life jacket, later removed it, and declined repeated requests from the yacht captain and others to put on safety equipment before re‑entering the water a second time.
Witnesses said Garg suddenly went limp while swimming back toward the vessel. He was pulled aboard and rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy attributed the cause of death to drowning. Toxicology showed a blood alcohol concentration of 333 milligrams per 100 millilitres — more than four times Singapore’s legal driving limit — a level the coroner said likely impaired judgment, coordination and reflexes.
The report noted Garg’s medical history of hypertension and epilepsy, with his last recorded epileptic episode in 2024. While a seizure before the drowning was considered, the coroner found the evidence inconclusive to establish it as a contributing factor.
The inquest also examined the circumstances of Garg’s invitation and visit, finding nothing “untoward” or “sinister” about the North East India Festival invitation and noting organisers, including the Assam Association Singapore, had made efforts to steward his visit. The coroner observed that fellow passengers and swimmers made genuine attempts to assist him and found no indication of negligence or malicious intent.
Nakhoda emphasized that determining criminal liability lies outside the coroner’s remit and noted that both the police and the public prosecutor in Singapore had found no grounds for charges; no one has been charged in Singapore. The ruling comes as legal proceedings have been initiated in an Indian court by Garg’s family against individuals who were on the yacht, reflecting continuing concerns in India despite the coroner’s conclusion that available evidence points to a voluntary act.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/story/zubeen-garg-died-by-accidental-drowning-no-foul-play-confirms-singapore-state-coroner-1364981-2026-03-25?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-03-25 11:28:00
