Zubeen Garg Death Probe: One Witness Appears Before CID, Seven Yet to Respond

In a key development in the ongoing probe into the mysterious death of singer-actor Zubeen Garg, Rupkamal Kalita, one of the eight individuals who were reportedly with the artist during his final moments in Singapore appeared before the Assam Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today.

The other seven witnesses, all of whom were part of the yacht outing when Garg drowned on September 19, have yet to respond to the CID’s summons.

Confirming the development, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said Kalita, who was on board the yacht during Garg’s final swim, had assured full cooperation with the investigation and was expected to reach Guwahati today.

“We will maintain pressure on the remaining seven. The sooner they cooperate, the sooner we can complete the investigation,” Sarma said.

Sources in the CID said Kalita’s statement is likely to shed light on key aspects of the final hours before the singer’s death, including the sequence of events on the yacht, the circumstances of his drowning, and the actions of those present at the scene.

The CID has already questioned several individuals in connection with the case, including event manager Shyamkanu Mahanta and Zubeen’s manager Siddharth Sharma, both of whom were arrested last week following financial and procedural irregularities linked to the “North East India Festival” in Singapore.

Earlier, the Assam government had ordered a judicial inquiry into Zubeen Garg’s death, following widespread public outrage and conflicting reports emerging from Singapore. The state police, assisted by the CID and a Special Investigation Team (SIT), are coordinating with Singaporean authorities through official diplomatic and legal channels.

Addressing questions on whether Assam Police would be sent to Singapore for direct investigation, the Chief Minister clarified that such a move was not permissible under international law.

“There is no need for Assam Police to visit Singapore. Under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT), our request has already been sent, and evidence gathered by the Singapore Police will be shared with us. No foreign country allows another country’s police to investigate on their soil,” Sarma explained.

The investigation, officials said, is focusing on both the cause of Zubeen’s death and the financial dealings surrounding the event he attended.

According to reports, discrepancies in the festival’s fund management have come under the scrutiny of the Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax Department as well.

Zubeen Garg, one of Assam’s most celebrated cultural icons, died on September 19 while swimming off Singapore’s Lazarus Island during a yacht gathering organized as part of the “North East India Festival.” His death has since sent shockwaves across the region, prompting a wide-ranging probe that now involves both criminal and financial dimensions.