Authorities in Singapore and Assam are probing the death of popular singer Zubeen Garg, who passed away on Friday while swimming in Singapore. The postmortem has been completed, and his mortal remains are expected to reach New Delhi on Saturday before being taken to Assam.
At first, reports suggested that the 52-year-old singer died in a scuba diving accident. But Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma later confirmed that Garg died while swimming without wearing a life jacket.
Life Jacket Refusal
The chief minister revealed that Garg was part of a yacht trip with 18 people. The group went swimming, but Zubeen Garg entered the water without a life jacket. Lifeguards had advised him to wear one, but he reportedly refused, saying the jacket was “oversized” and made swimming difficult. He was later found floating in the sea.
FIRs Filed Against Organisers
CM Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that multiple FIRs have been filed against Shyam Kanu Mahanta, the chief organiser of the Northeast Festival, and Garg’s manager Siddhartha Sharma. The singer was scheduled to perform at the festival on Saturday.
The chief minister said, “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.”
CID to Lead the Probe
The Assam Director General of Police has been instructed to hand over the case to the CID. The probe will check if any controversy or negligence contributed to the death of the “Ya Ali” singer.
The autopsy was completed on Saturday in Singapore, and the authorities are preparing to fly his body back to India.
Final Journey to Assam
Once in India, Garg’s body will first be taken to his residence in Guwahati, where his father, wife, and other family members will pay their last respects. Later, the mortal remains will be kept at Sarusajai Stadium for the public to pay tribute.
The Assam government has announced that a state holiday will be declared on the day his last rites are performed.
Legacy of a Music Icon
Zubeen Garg, known for songs like “Ya Ali”, was one of the biggest music icons from Assam. His sudden death has left fans across the country in deep shock. The probe is expected to bring clarity to the tragic circumstances that led to his passing.
ALSO READ: Who Was Zubeen Garg? From ‘Ya Ali’ to Cultural Icon – Net Worth, Family & Legacy
