Fresh twist in Zubeen Garg death: Singer was poisoned to death by manager Siddharth Sharma, fest organiser?
SIT cites financial records and corroborative witness testimony as evidence against the accused, strengthening the murder angle
PTC Web Desk: The death of celebrated Assamese singer Zubeen Garg has taken a dramatic turn with the police adding murder charges against his manager Siddharth Sharma, event organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, musician Amritprava Mahanta, and associate Pallav Goswami.
The arrests come after chilling revelations emerged from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe, suggesting suspicious conduct during the singer’s final hours in Singapore.
Key revelations from the SIT report
Goswami alleged that Sharma, who was staying with Zubeen at Singapore’s Pan Pacific Hotel, behaved oddly before the incident. Sharma reportedly forcibly seized control of the yacht from its sailor during their outing, endangering passengers. Siddharth Sharma also prevented others from arranging refreshments, insisting only he would provide them. Witnesses recalled that when Zubeen struggled in the water, Sharma shouted, “Jabo de, jabo de” (let him go).
As Zubeen was frothing at the mouth and nose, Sharma brushed it off as “acid reflux”, stopping others from intervening. Sharma allegedly instructed fellow passengers not to share any videos of the outing.
The SIT also cited financial records and corroborative witness testimony as evidence against the accused, strengthening the murder angle.
Zubeen’s wife, Garima Saikia Garg, has also publicly questioned the circumstances of his death. She said her husband, who suffered from seizures, was advised by doctors not to go near water, yet was taken on a yacht without a life jacket.
Reacting to the fresh disclosures, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the formation of a judicial commission to probe the death, assuring that no angle will be overlooked.
The 51-year-old singer, known for his Bollywood hit “Ya Ali” and iconic Assamese songs, had travelled to Singapore to perform at the North East India Festival. His sudden demise on September 19 has now snowballed into a criminal investigation that could reshape the narrative around his death.