Singaporean police have indicated that their initial investigations into the passing of renowned Assamese singer Zubeen Garg have not uncovered any signs of foul play. This conclusion challenges the murder charges that have been formally laid by authorities in Assam, where seven individuals have been arrested in connection with the case.
The Singapore Police Force (SPF) clarified in a statement on their official website that, based on preliminary findings, they do not suspect foul play. This statement was issued to address the circulating online speculation and misinformation regarding the circumstances of the popular singer’s death.
Authorities in Singapore have noted that their investigation, conducted under the Coroners Act 2010, could extend for up to three more months. Following this period, the findings will be presented to the State Coroner to determine if a formal inquiry is warranted.
The SPF confirmed that preliminary findings and an autopsy report were shared with India’s High Commission in Singapore on October 1.
Meanwhile, Assam Police are continuing to pursue murder charges against seven people, including the singer’s brother. The state’s Special Investigation Team, operating under the Crime Investigation Department, is anticipated to release its report by late November or early December, according to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
An investigative team from Assam is scheduled to visit Singapore on October 21 for discussions with SPF officials. This visit follows a meeting held earlier in the week in New Delhi between Chief Minister Sarma, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and Singapore’s Acting High Commissioner Alice Cheng.
“Once the meeting concludes, we will have a clearer understanding of the SPF’s investigation and its direction,” Sarma stated on Friday.
The case has generated significant emotional responses in Assam. On Wednesday, fans demanding justice reportedly attacked a police convoy transporting five of the accused individuals to Baksa District Jail. Chief Minister Sarma reported that approximately 150 protesters hurled stones at the vehicles, injuring several police officers, which led to a lathi-charge and warning shots being fired, resulting in injuries to two civilians.
A district court in Kamrup ordered a 14-day judicial custody for the remaining two accused individuals on Friday, mirroring the earlier decisions for the other five.
Singapore police have requested patience from all parties involved as their investigation progresses. They urged the public not to speculate or spread unverified information.
In a related development, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi visited Garg’s cremation site in Sonapur, on the outskirts of Guwahati. He offered his condolences alongside Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi, state assembly Leader of Opposition Debrabrata Saikia, and the party’s state in-charge Jitendra Singh. Gandhi also met with Garg’s wife, Garrima, and other family members at their residence in Guwahati.
“It is deeply saddening for me to be here under these circumstances. I expressed to the family that I wished my visit could have been under happier conditions,” Gandhi remarked. “The family has conveyed to me that they seek the truth regarding his death. It is the government’s responsibility to conduct a swift and transparent investigation into what happened. We demand transparency and justice. Everyone in Assam deserves to know the truth about what transpired in Singapore,” he added.
The Assam government has also established the terms of reference for a one-man inquiry commission, led by Justice Soumitra Saikia of the Gauhati High Court. This commission, formed on October 3, is tasked with investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding Zubeen Garg’s death.
A public notice has been issued, stating that the commission will assess any potential lapses, omissions, commissions, or negligence by individuals, authorities, or institutions connected to the incident. It will also determine if external factors, including possible foul play, conspiracy, or unlawful acts, contributed to or were linked to the singer’s demise.
The notice further calls upon anyone with relevant information to submit their statements, along with supporting documents, to the commission between November 3 and November 23.