Organiser and Manager Arrested in Zubeen Garg Death Case
Festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta and singer Zubeen Garg’s manager Siddhartha Sharma were arrested in Delhi and brought to Guwahati on Wednesday in connection with the investigation into Garg’s death. Authorities later presented them in court and secured 14-day custody for further probe.
Circumstances of Zubeen Garg’s Death
Zubeen Garg, aged 52, died on September 19, 2025 in Singapore. He reportedly lost consciousness while swimming and was taken to Singapore General Hospital, where he was declared dead. Singapore’s death certificate lists the cause as “drowning”. A second post-mortem was later conducted in Guwahati following public demand.
Arrests and Investigation
Mahanta was apprehended upon arrival at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, returning from Singapore. Sharma was arrested from an apartment in Gurugram. Both were flown under police escort to Assam, where the Special Investigation Team (SIT) is probing alleged negligence and safety lapses surrounding the event for which Garg had gone to Singapore.
SIT and Government Action
The Assam government has invoked the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) with Singapore to obtain cooperation in gathering evidence and verifying medical records. A 10-member SIT has been formed to oversee the inquiry, with assurances that no individual will be spared.
Public Reaction and Tributes
Garg’s death has stirred nationwide grief, especially in the Northeast. He was cremated with full state honours in Kamarkuchi near Guwahati on September 23. His sudden passing has led to demands for accountability and clarity over the circumstances of his final hours.
