‘No mystery from our side’: Tanmoy Phukan speaks after facing Zubeen Garg death panel

Singapore-based Assamese Tanmoy Phukan, who has appeared before both the fast-track court and the one-member judicial commission probing singer Zubeen Garg’s death, said the complete truth about the incident must emerge through the legal proceedings.

Speaking to reporters after appearing before the commission on Thursday night, October 1, Phukan said he had answered all questions put to him and provided details of the events surrounding Garg’s trip to Singapore.

“I said whatever I was asked, after giving it due thought and consideration,” Phukan said.

He said the commission questioned him extensively about the incident. “They questioned me in detail about the entire incident. I gave a proper account of everything,” he said, adding that he had spoken about the events “from the time Zubeen Garg went to Singapore until that fateful moment”.

Phukan said he had appeared before the court for four days and before the one-member judicial commission for three days. “I have given all the details before the court. I will cooperate with the proceedings in court,” he said.

Asked about the findings of the commission, Phukan said people would have to wait for the final outcome. “We will have to wait a little longer for the final findings to emerge. The final part is a subjective matter. Please wait a little longer,” he said.

Phukan also said there was no mystery from his side regarding what happened. “There is no mystery from our side regarding the incident. Whatever happened, happened. If it did not happen, then it did not happen,” he said.

Describing Garg’s death as deeply distressing, Phukan said he had witnessed the incident and had long admired the singer.

“The incident happened before my eyes. It is very sad. I have listened to his songs. He was an idol to me,” he said.

Phukan said Garg had previously travelled to Singapore in 2016 and 2024 and had a significant following among the Assamese diaspora there.

On his association with people linked to the Singapore trip, Phukan said he did not know Shyamkanu Mahanta and had no knowledge of the North East Festival. He also said he met Siddhartha Sharma for the first time in connection with the events.

“I do not know who gave Zubeen Garg control at the yacht party,” he said, adding that the yacht party was organised because of Garg.

Phukan declined to comment on whether there had been negligence, saying that it was for the court to determine. “I do not want to say that there was negligence; the court will determine that,” he said.

He said he was speaking publicly only to address what he described as misconceptions surrounding the case. “I am saying these things to clear people's misconceptions. The truth must be uncovered,” Phukan said.

Phukan also said he had received emergency medical treatment following the incident and claimed he was not allowed to go to hospital at the time.

He said he met Amritprabha for the first time during the Singapore events, while he had known Shekhar Goswami and Partha Goswami since 2016.

Phukan said he had been living in Singapore for 30 years and had returned to Assam at his own expense to participate in the proceedings.

“We have come to Assam at our own expense. We have not come at any government expense. We have come because we are emotionally connected to the incident,” he said.

He also spoke about his own background, saying he had studied at Cotton and lived in Bombay and Pune, besides working in the media. Phukan said he remained hopeful that the legal proceedings would establish what happened.

“There will certainly be a proper outcome to the incident,” he said. “I am hopeful that justice will be delivered. The truth must come out. The guilty must be punished.”