Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma says Zubeen Garg death in Singapore was not accidental; SIT to file chargesheet by December 8 pending MHA approval.

In a major revelation, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the death of iconic singer Zubeen Garg was not an accident but a case of murder. Speaking to reporters after a high-level review meeting with senior police and forensic officers, Sarma said that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case has been directed to complete its investigation and file the chargesheet by December 8.

“I will no longer refer to Zubeen Garg’s death as an accident,” the Chief Minister said. “We have to file the chargesheet by December 17, but I have asked the SIT to finish their work by December 8. The team is ready from all aspects.”

Since the incident took place in Singapore, the state government requires approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs before filing the final chargesheet. Sarma confirmed that he met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday to request expedited clearance for the SIT’s action.

According to Sarma, the SIT will seek MHA authorization within the next few days. Once cleared, the chargesheet is expected to be filed between December 7 and 9. The Chief Minister further stated that the investigation is complete in terms of forensic testing, digital evidence, and international cooperation.

The SIT, led by Additional DGP Munna Prasad Gupta and SP Tarun Goel, had traveled to Singapore on October 20 to inspect Lazarus Island—the site of the incident—and Zubeen Garg’s last place of stay, Pan Pacific Hotel Singapore. They examined CCTV footage from the final 48 hours and held a detailed 2.5-hour meeting with a five-member Singapore Police team on October 21 to coordinate the probe. Singapore authorities are expected to submit their coroner’s report by December 19.

Zubeen Garg, aged 52, was a towering figure in Assamese music and a beloved cultural icon across Northeast India. He died on September 19, 2025, during a yacht outing near Singapore. Although local authorities initially cited drowning as the cause of death, public outrage in Assam—fueled by over 60 FIRs—has led to renewed demands for a transparent and thorough investigation.

Also Read : SIT Team Heads for Singapore in Zubeen Garg Death Probe: CM Sarma Confirms Global Angle in Investigation