Assam pays heartfelt tribute to Zubeen Garg, who died in Singapore last year

People across Assam paid their heartfelt tribute to iconic singer Zubeen Garg who passed away in Singapore last year. Thousands throng to his crematorium while in a fast-track court in Guwahati, a murder case involving seven accused is in the trial phase.

Garg died in Singapore on September 19 last year after becoming unresponsive during a second swim near Lazarus Island of Singapore.

More than 1.5 million people are estimated to have joined his final journey when his body was brought to Kamarkuchi in Sonapur, near Guwahati, on September 21 last year.


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Singapore authorities concluded that Garg died of accidental drowning and found no evidence of foul play, while Assam Police is prosecuting the case as an alleged murder.

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated in X, “Zubeen was, is and will always remain a people's person and our favourite rockstar! He remained with the people, always helping them in times of their need and making them happy with his songs, his actions and just with his mere presence. Today, across Assam, we BJP for Assam karyakartas donated blood, as a tribute to the memory of a legend who continues to remain amongst us and inspire us to help the people. These donated blood will help numerous people find a new lease of life and what can be a better tribute to the legend, than helping someone. ZG Forever.”

Assam witnessed low key Durga Puja and Diwali celebration as the state was mourning his death. There were protests and demands seeking justice for Garg.

The Special Investigation Team of Assam Police filed the chargesheet in the case on December 12, naming seven arrested accused, with four of them charged with murder. More than 60 First Information Reports were subsequently lodged across Assam.

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Between October 1 and 10, Assam Police arrested seven people in connection with the case, including Singapore festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, Garg's manager Siddhartha Sharma, musicians Amritprabha Mahanta and Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, his cousin Sandipan Garg and two of his personal security officers.

The accused faced charges including murder, culpable homicide, criminal conspiracy and financial offences.

The SIT later filed a 2,500-page chargesheet, with the total case documents running into more than 12,000 pages.

Four of the accused were charged with murder, Sandipan Garg with culpable homicide, while the two personal security officers faced charges including criminal conspiracy. All seven have pleaded not guilty.

In March 2026, a Singapore court ruled Garg's death an accidental drowning, finding no evidence of foul play, coercion or poisoning.

The Gauhati High Court constituted an exclusive fast-track sessions court for the trial. In May, charges were formally framed against all seven accused, who pleaded not guilty.

A separate judicial commission headed by Justice Soumitra Saikia has also begun an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Garg's death.

With more than 100 witnesses already examined, the trial remains underway.

In early this year's Assam assembly polls, the opposition Congress tried to turn the demand for justice for Zubeen Garg into a poll issue.

People across the state lit earthen lamps in memory of the singer.