Singapore Coroner Confirms No Foul Play in Zubeen Garg's Death, Rules It Accidental Drowning
In a definitive ruling, a Singapore state coroner has officially upheld the Singapore Police Coast Guard's investigation, concluding that there was no foul play involved in the tragic death of renowned Indian singer Zubeen Garg. State Coroner Adam Nakhoda delivered the verdict on Wednesday, categorizing the incident as an accidental drowning that occurred near an island of the city-state in September last year.
Coroner Addresses Family Concerns and Details Investigation
Directly responding to concerns raised by Garg's widow regarding the initial police findings, Coroner Nakhoda emphasized that the Police Coast Guard had conducted a comprehensive and thorough investigation. He stated that the evidence clearly pointed to Garg's death being "simply due to an unfortunate and tragic accidental drowning". The coroner explicitly noted that no one had forced, coerced, or pushed the singer into the water, and there was no evidence to suggest that the swimmers who attempted to rescue him had deliberately held his face underwater.
Intoxication and Life Jacket Refusal Cited as Key Factors
The coroner detailed that Garg, aged 52, had been intoxicated at the time of the incident, which likely severely impaired his judgment. This impairment was evident in his decision to remove his life jacket during his first swim and his "steadfast" refusal to wear it on his second swim, despite repeated instructions from the yacht captain and other passengers. According to Channel News Asia, witnesses reported that Garg had consumed a significant amount of alcohol, including several cups of liquor, gin, whisky, and Guinness Stout.
Timeline of the Tragic Incident
Zubeen Garg drowned in the waters off Lazarus Island on September 19, 2025, just one day before he was scheduled to perform at the North East India Festival in Singapore. The singer was in the country for a festival organized to commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations between Singapore and India, which was subsequently canceled upon news of his death. The court heard that Garg was invited to perform due to his immense popularity in Assam and across North East India.
The coroner found that Garg had voluntarily agreed to the yacht trip, with no evidence of coercion. A group of approximately 20 people had dropped anchor between Lazarus Island and St John's Island, engaging in activities such as drinking, swimming, and kayaking. After removing his life jacket and refusing another, Garg embarked on a second swim toward Lazarus Island. When members of the group shouted for him to return due to the lack of a life jacket, he turned back but went limp in the water. He was rescued and taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, with an autopsy confirming drowning as the cause.
Toxicology Report and Medical History
Coroner Nakhoda revealed that Garg had been consuming alcohol in the days leading up to and on the day of his death. A toxicology analysis showed a blood alcohol concentration of 333 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood, indicating severe intoxication that would impair coordination and reflexes. For context, Singapore's legal limit is 80 milligrams per 100ml. High levels of ethanol were also detected in his urine samples.
Garg had a medical history of hypertension and epilepsy, with his last known epileptic episode occurring in 2024. While the coroner acknowledged it was possible Garg suffered an epileptic fit before drowning, the evidence was inconclusive, preventing a definitive finding on this aspect.
Coroner's Court Limitations and Family Involvement
The coroner stressed that his court's role is not to establish whether potential offences were committed; that prerogative lies with the police prosecutor following investigations. "In circumstances where the police have established that there is no foul play involved, and the public prosecutor has concurred with this conclusion, it would be improper for the coroner to make a finding that criminal offences were committed," Nakhoda stated, as reported by Channel News Asia. No charges have been filed in Singapore in connection with Garg's death.
Garg's uncle attended an earlier hearing, expressing the family's concerns, including why Garg entered the sea and whether he did so voluntarily. The coroner found that Garg had voluntarily gone on both swims and was not forced into the water. He also concluded that the swimmers had assisted Garg to the best of their abilities, with no evidence of malicious intent.
Festival Invitation Deemed Innocuous
The court further determined there was "nothing untoward" or "sinister" about the invitation extended to Garg for the festival. Coroner Nakhoda noted that members of the Assam Association Singapore had made considerable efforts to ensure his visit was enjoyable, highlighting the tragic and accidental nature of the event.
