Singapore police to share key evidence in Zubeen Garg death probe within 10 days: SIT chief

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) is expected to hand over vital evidence — including CCTV footage and witness statements — related to the death of singer Zubeen Garg within the next 10 days, a senior Assam Police official said on October 24.

 

Special DGP (CID) and SIT Chief Munna Prasad Gupta, who recently returned from Singapore after a four-day visit, said the SPF has assured full cooperation in the investigation. Gupta, accompanied by Titabor Co-District SP Tarun Goel, held discussions with a five-member high-level SPF delegation and the Indian High Commissioner in Singapore.

 

“We sought the statement of the yacht pilot and one member of the Assam Association Singapore. As they are Singapore citizens, it will be done through a legal process. They have assured us the statements will be shared within 10 days,” Gupta told reporters in Guwahati.

 

The Assam Police team has also requested CCTV footage from the hotel and other locations Garg visited during his stay in Singapore. “We emphasised timely assistance. The SPF aims to complete its probe in 90 days, and we are working to submit our chargesheet within the same timeframe,” Gupta said.

 

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the CID is investigating Garg’s death after over 60 FIRs were filed across Assam. During the Singapore visit, officials inspected the yacht hired by the Assam Association Singapore and other locations the singer had visited. Gupta noted that “international cooperation usually takes a long time, but in this case, we are getting quick assistance.”

 

The Assam Police team also received the first autopsy report, conducted immediately after Garg’s death, through the Indian High Commission. In Guwahati, CID officials have recorded statements from more than 70 people so far. Garg’s wife, Garima, and sister, Palme Borthakur, appeared at the CID headquarters on Friday to give their statements.

 

Gupta appealed to anyone with information about Garg’s final days to come forward. “If anyone has any relevant information or chats with him prior to his death, please share it with us,” he said.

 

Zubeen Garg died under mysterious circumstances on 19 September while swimming off the coast of Singapore, where he had travelled to attend the 4th North East India Festival.

 

The SPF, which is also conducting its own investigation, said in an earlier statement that preliminary findings did not suggest foul play but noted that the inquiry could take up to three more months.

 

Meanwhile, Assam Police have questioned 10 Assamese expatriates linked to the incident. Eleven people were on the yacht when Garg allegedly drowned, including members of the Assam Association Singapore.

 

Seven individuals — including Garg’s manager, two band members, and his cousin, DSP Sandipan Garg — have been arrested in connection with the case. His two personal security officers were also detained after investigators uncovered financial transactions worth over Rs 1.1 crore. All seven remain in judicial custody and face charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for murder, culpable homicide not amounting to murder, criminal conspiracy, and causing death by negligence.