Zubeen Garg Death Case Heads to Trial as Court Frames Charges Against Seven

The mysterious death case of celebrated Assamese singer Zubeen Garg has entered a critical phase after a special fast-track court in Guwahati formally framed charges against seven accused, including festival organisers, close associates, and security personnel. The trial is set to begin on June 8 , with the court ordering daily witness hearings in one of Assam’s most closely watched criminal cases.

Special Fast-track Court Judge Sharmila Bhuyan on Tuesday read out the charges to all accused, who pleaded not guilty. Public Prosecutor Ziaul Kamar said the court would now move directly to witness examination without further miscellaneous hearings.

The case stems from the death of Zubeen Garg on September 19, 2025, in Singapore during a yacht outing near Lazarus Island ahead of the fourth edition of the North East India Festival (NEIF) . While Singapore authorities initially termed it a drowning case, the incident sparked massive outrage in Assam, leading to over 60 FIRs and demands for an independent probe.

Following public pressure, the Assam CID formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) , which later filed a nearly 3,500-page chargesheet naming seven accused. Murder charges were framed against festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta , singer manager Siddharth Sharma , and band members Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and Amritprabha Mahanta . Assam Police DSP Sandipan Garg and personal security officers Nandeswar Bora and Prabin Baishya face separate charges under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) .

Investigators alleged that the accused ignored the singer’s medical condition, allowed excessive alcohol consumption, delayed rescue efforts, and failed to ensure proper safety measures during the sea outing. The SIT also examined allegations of criminal conspiracy and negligence linked to the incident.

However, findings from Singapore sharply differed from the Assam investigation. A Singapore Coroner’s Court ruled earlier this year that the singer died due to accidental drowning and found no evidence of foul play. Authorities there stated that the singer was heavily intoxicated and had refused to wear a life jacket before entering the water.

Despite the Singapore verdict, Assam authorities have maintained that their probe covers a broader conspiracy angle. With charges now formally framed, the case is expected to witness intense courtroom proceedings as testimony and forensic evidence begin to unfold before the fast-track court next month.