The death of renowned singer Zubeen Garg, who passed away in Singapore in September 2025, is now set to proceed to trial. A fast-track court in Assam on Tuesday framed charges against all seven accused, with four facing murder charges. The trial is scheduled to commence on June 8. Notably, a Singapore court had earlier ruled on March 26 that Zubeen drowned accidentally while swimming, with no evidence of foul play. Despite this, the Assam court proceeded, ordering the production of the accused and submission of evidence via video conferencing at the trial's opening. All seven accused remain in judicial custody.
Zubeen Garg Death Case: Who Has Been Charged with What
Based on the Special Investigation Team's (SIT) findings, Judge Sharmila Bhuyan framed murder charges against four individuals: Shyamkanu Mahanta, the organizer of the North East India Festival in Singapore where Zubeen was scheduled to perform; Siddharth Sharma, his manager; Shekharjyoti Goswami, a bandmate; and Amritprabha Mahanta, a co-singer. All four also face charges of criminal conspiracy and criminal breach of trust. Additionally, Zubeen's two personal security officers, Nandeswar Borah and Paresh Baishya, have been charged with criminal conspiracy and criminal breach of trust. Zubeen's cousin, Sandipon Garg, has been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
All Seven Accused Plead Not Guilty
In its order, the court stated: “The charges framed against the accused persons were read over and explained to them in open court in the presence of prosecution counsel and defence counsel through audio-video mode, to which the accused pleaded not guilty and claimed to be tried.”
Court Says Criminal Conspiracy Began in Guwahati
All accused joined the court proceedings via video conferencing from their respective jails. Judge Bhuyan ordered that all accused be tried together, given that the offences stem from the same set of circumstances and involve the same victim, in the interest of a speedy trial. The judge noted that the criminal conspiracy had its roots in Guwahati itself, drawing on eyewitness accounts that pointed to Shyamkanu Mahanta supplying alcohol to Zubeen. It was also noted that Siddharth and Shyamkanu took Zubeen abroad without obtaining a medical fitness certificate and concealed his medical condition from relevant parties.
Zubeen Garg's Blood Alcohol Level Confirmed as Cause of Drowning
Despite his condition, Zubeen was allowed to swim while heavily under the influence of alcohol. His blood alcohol level was recorded at 333 mg per 100 ml, a level that experts confirmed as the cause of his drowning. The court concluded that there was strong prima facie evidence against all accused.
How Zubeen Garg's Death Led to Formation of a Nine-Member SIT
Zubeen Garg travelled to Singapore on September 17, 2025, to perform at the fourth edition of the North East India Festival. Two days later, on September 19, he lost his life while swimming in the sea. Following his death, a nine-member SIT was constituted on September 24, 2025, to investigate the matter. The team filed its chargesheet before the Kamrup (Metro) Chief Judicial Magistrate on December 12, 2025, after which the CJM court transferred the case to the District and Sessions Judges' Court, Kamrup (Metro) on December 16, 2025.
