The Assam government has officially asked the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to use the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) with Singapore to investigate the death of renowned singer Zubeen Garg in the Southeast Asian nation, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Monday, September 29, 2025.
Chief Minister Sarma stated in an X post that activating this treaty would guarantee complete cooperation from Singaporean authorities. This includes access to crucial case details and assistance in repatriating any accused individuals to ensure justice is served.
A 10-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by Special DGP M.P. Gupta, was formed by the Assam government to probe the singer’s death by drowning in Singapore on September 19.
Two officers from the Assam Police are expected to travel to Singapore shortly, once all required procedures are finalized.
Zubeen’s Wife Demands Answers: ‘We want to know what happened’
Garima Saikia Garg, Zubeen Garg’s wife, stated that his family desperately seeks answers regarding his final moments and insists on a thorough investigation into his death.
“We need to understand what exactly happened to him, why it occurred, and how such negligence was possible. We demand answers,” Ms. Garima told reporters in Guwahati, following the singer’s 11th-day rituals.
She emphasized that everyone present with him on the yacht before his death, and at the associated event, must provide clear explanations.
“Why was he not pulled from the water, especially when they knew he was unfit to swim? It would have been easy to intervene,” she questioned.
According to her, his manager, Siddhartha Sharma, was fully aware that Zubeen should avoid water or fire, as these could potentially trigger his epileptic seizures.
“I seek justice! I demand a comprehensive inquiry and answers to all our concerns. I trust in the investigative process,” Ms. Garima asserted.
She expressed the family’s prior hope that his companions would look after him, but acknowledged, “now we realize they failed to do so.”
When questioned about Zubeen’s prescribed medication, his wife stated she wasn’t sure if he took them, but confirmed his medications were sent with him to Singapore.
“He had been taking only one medicine since August 2024, following a seizure attack, and I made sure his medication was always with him—whether at home, in the car, or at the studio,” she explained.
She also mentioned that the singer’s mobile phone has not yet been recovered.
Ms. Garima recalled speaking to the singer the day before the incident, noting that he had not mentioned any plans for a yacht trip.
“He usually gets very excited about such activities, and I am surprised he didn’t mention it. Perhaps he wasn’t even aware of it himself,” she speculated.
Ms. Garima shared that she draws strength from Zubeen’s own words, as he often told her he was “a tiger, and so I, too, should be a tigress in difficult times.”
She concluded by thanking the people of Assam for their overwhelming support and strength during this difficult time for her family.