GUWAHATI, Nov 3, 2025 — In a dramatic development, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday confirmed that renowned singer and actor Zubeen Garg was murdered, not accidentally killed, as initially believed. Garg, one of Assam’s most celebrated cultural icons, was found dead in Singapore on September 19, where he had gone to participate in a cultural event.

CM Confirms Murder

Addressing reporters in Tezpur, CM Sarma said,

“I won’t term his death as an accident anymore. The SIT is supposed to submit the charge sheet of Garg’s murder case on December 18. I have given them a target of December 8. We are prepared in all aspects in that regard.”

The statement marks the first official confirmation from the Assam government that Zubeen Garg’s death is being treated as murder.

Sarma further stated that because the incident took place abroad, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Assam Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) needs permission from the Union Home Ministry (MHA) to proceed with certain parts of the investigation. The state government is expected to forward the request to MHA within the next few days.

Two Probes Underway

Two separate investigations are currently in progress:

1. SIT Probe (India) — led by Assam Police’s CID, focusing on the murder, conspiracy, and financial angles.
2. Singaporean Police Probe — examining the immediate circumstances and events leading to Garg’s death while swimming at a local beach.

Arrests and Charges

So far, the SIT has arrested seven people, all of whom are currently in judicial custody. Those arrested include:

• Garg’s manager
• His cousin, a police officer
• The event organiser in Singapore
• Two of his bandmates
• Two police security officers assigned to him

The charges under consideration include:

• Murder (Section 302, IPC)
• Criminal conspiracy (Section 120B, IPC)
• Culpable homicide not amounting to murder (Section 304, IPC)
• Death due to negligence (Section 304A, IPC)

The SIT has reportedly interrogated around 100 individuals connected to Garg — including friends, business associates, and family members — as part of its wide-ranging investigation.

Financial Angle Under Scrutiny

Alongside the main criminal probe, authorities are also investigating financial irregularities linked to Garg’s career management, overseas event contracts, and possible disputes over royalties and payments. Officials have hinted that these financial issues might have played a role in the alleged conspiracy behind his death.

Judicial Inquiry Commission

In addition to the SIT probe, the Assam government has constituted a one-man judicial commission led by Justice Soumitra Saikia of the Gauhati High Court. The commission began hearings on Monday, although no one appeared before it on the first day. Depositions are scheduled to continue until November 21, and the panel has been tasked with submitting its report within six months.

Background: A Nation Mourns an Icon

Zubeen Garg, 52, was one of Assam’s most loved musicians, known for his soulful songs in Assamese, Hindi, and several other Indian languages. His death on September 19 in Singapore had initially been reported as a swimming accident, but discrepancies in witness statements and forensic findings soon raised suspicions.

Fans and fellow artists across the country have demanded justice, holding candlelight vigils and protests in Assam, Guwahati, and Tezpur.

What’s Next

The SIT is racing against time to complete its investigation and submit the chargesheet by December 8, ahead of the original December 18 deadline set by the Chief Minister. Once submitted, the case will move to the judicial phase, where the evidence collected — including forensic reports, witness testimonies, and financial records — will determine the next course of action.

As the investigations progress, the mystery surrounding Zubeen Garg’s untimely death continues to deepen. What began as a tragic accident has now turned into one of Assam’s most high-profile murder cases — and one that could have far-reaching political and cultural implications in the months ahead.