Guwahati, Jan 15: Popular Indian singer Zubeen Garg, 52, drowned in waters near Lazarus Island on September 19, 2025, after becoming heavily intoxicated and refusing to wear a life jacket during a yacht outing, Singapore Police told the Coroner’s Court on Wednesday.
According to the chief investigating officer, Garg was in Singapore for the North East India Festival and boarded the yacht Crazy Monkey at Marina at Keppel Bay with about 20 friends and colleagues. The group consumed alcohol, including gin, whisky, and Guinness Stout, along with snacks, and witnesses noted that Garg had several drinks.
After anchoring between Lazarus and St. John’s Islands, Garg initially wore an oversized life jacket for a swim but later removed it. He returned to the yacht tired and declined a smaller life jacket before swimming alone toward Lazarus Island, despite repeated reminders from the captain. Witnesses shouted for him to return, but he went limp in the water and was rescued face-down. CPR was administered on board, but Garg was pronounced dead at Singapore General Hospital at 5:15 pm.
An autopsy confirmed drowning as the cause of death. Hypertension and epilepsy medications were detected in his system, but no other drugs were found. Injuries noted were consistent with rescue efforts.
The yacht captain testified that Garg appeared unsteady while boarding and received two safety briefings emphasizing the use of life jackets. He observed Garg’s intoxication and noted foam from the singer’s mouth and nose during the rescue. Video footage showed Garg entered the water voluntarily, with no signs of suicidal intent, and no foul play is suspected.
Family members expressed concerns over the planning of the outing, Garg’s decision to enter the water, and delays in aid, seeking a full timeline of events. Coroner Adam Nakhoda deemed some details irrelevant but allowed further questioning. So far, 35 testimonies are pending, including from passengers, the captain, police, and paramedics.
Meanwhile, in India, Assam Police’s SIT filed a 2,500-page chargesheet in Guwahati’s CJM Court on December 12, 2025, against seven individuals—including event organizer Shyamkanu Mahanta and manager Siddharth Sharma—charging four with murder under BNS Section 103. The investigation is ongoing.
