GUWAHATI
The Special Investigation Team (SIT), currently investigating the tragic death of Assam’s beloved cultural icon, Zubeen Garg, has officially received the critical viscera report. Garg passed away on September 18 while swimming off an island in Singapore, and this new report, processed by the Central Forensic Science Laboratory in New Delhi, marks a significant development in the ongoing probe.
Munna Prasad Gupta, the head of the SIT and Special Director General of Police for the Criminal Investigation Department, informed journalists in Guwahati on Saturday (October 11, 2025) that the viscera report has now been forwarded to the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital for detailed examination.
He explained that a specially constituted committee at the hospital will meticulously study the viscera findings before submitting the conclusive final autopsy report to the SIT. “Once received, we will promptly submit the report to the court and ensure a copy is provided to Zubeen Garg’s grieving family,” Mr. Gupta stated.
These essential viscera samples were dispatched to the New Delhi forensic lab following a second post-mortem examination performed on Garg at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital. This second autopsy took place just before his mortal remains were cremated on September 23.
It’s important to recall that an initial autopsy was conducted in Singapore on September 19, a day after his passing.
Reacting to circulating reports suggesting Garg may have been poisoned, Mr. Gupta firmly stated, “We must wait for the final autopsy report to draw any definitive conclusions.” These serious allegations of poisoning were publicly made by Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, one of Garg’s bandmates, who specifically accused his manager Siddharth Sharma and North East India Festival organizer Shyamkanu Mahanta of being responsible for the singer-composer’s death.
At the time of his demise, Garg was in Singapore, scheduled to perform at the North East India Festival.
Mr. Goswami, Mr. Sharma, and Mr. Mahanta are among seven individuals who have been arrested in connection with Garg’s death. The others include Garg’s cousin, Deputy Superintendent of Police Sandipan Garg, his personal security officers Nandeswar Bora and Paresh Baishya, and co-singer Amritprabha Mahanta.
Mr. Gupta further revealed that Singaporean authorities are currently reviewing India’s formal request for an investigation to be conducted within the island nation. The SIT has faced significant criticism from various political parties and social media users for not yet deploying a team to Singapore to question individuals who were present with Garg in his final hours.
“We submitted a request under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) to Singapore through the Ministry of Home Affairs, seeking crucial materials for the probe, such as CCTV footage and statements from specific individuals,” Mr. Gupta clarified. “The police cannot simply enter another country and initiate an investigation without obtaining the necessary official clearance.”
He further elaborated, “The office of the Attorney General in Singapore, which serves as the designated nodal agency, has acknowledged our request. They are currently examining it and will soon provide us with an update. We cannot conduct investigations in that country without their explicit approval and the full cooperation of the Singapore police force.”
The SIT has issued formal notices to eleven Assamese individuals residing in Singapore who were aboard the yacht during the singer’s final moments. To date, only one of these individuals, Rupkamal Kalita, has provided a statement to the investigative team.
“We are actively taking measures to ensure the remaining ten Singapore-based Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) appear for interrogation,” Mr. Gupta affirmed, underscoring the team’s commitment to a thorough investigation.