Zubeen Garg death probe: Singapore witness Abhimanyu Talukdar deposed in Assam fast-track court
Synopsis
Singapore-based Assamese Abhimanyu Talukdar has deposed before the Assam fast-track court in the Zubeen Garg death case — the latest in a series of overseas witnesses. With Singapore's coroner ruling accidental drowning and Assam's SIT pressing murder charges against seven accused, the case represents a rare jurisdictional split that is only deepening with each new testimony.
Key Takeaways
Abhimanyu Talukdar , a Singapore-based Assamese, appeared before the Assam fast-track court on 23 September 2026 as a prosecution witness.
Renowned Assamese singer Zubeen Garg , 52 , died on 19 September 2025 during a yacht trip near Lazarus Island , Singapore.
Singapore's State Coroner Adam Nakhoda ruled in March 2026 that the death was an accidental drowning , with no evidence of foul play.
The Assam CID's SIT filed a chargesheet naming seven accused , including Garg's manager Siddhartha Sarma and festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta , with murder charges alleged.
Other overseas witnesses already deposed include Parikshit Sharma , Sushmita Goswami , Pratim Lahkar , Debajyoti Hazarika , and Jio Langsat Narzary .
The fast-track court in Assam on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, continued recording witness testimonies in the death case of renowned Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, with Singapore-based Assamese Abhimanyu Talukdar appearing before the court to depose on events surrounding Garg's final hours in Singapore. Talukdar is among a growing list of overseas-based witnesses whose statements are being placed before the court as prosecution evidence.
The Incident at Lazarus Island
Garg, 52, died on 19 September 2025 following an incident during a yacht trip in waters off Lazarus Island in Singapore. He had travelled to the city-state for the North East India Festival and was scheduled to perform the following day. The circumstances of his death prompted allegations from his family and others, setting off a chain of legal proceedings back in Assam.
Overseas Witnesses Before the Court
Talukdar joins a series of Singapore-based Assamese witnesses already deposed in the trial. Earlier this month, Parikshit Sharma — who was reportedly present aboard the yacht at the time of the incident — recorded his testimony. Other overseas witnesses examined by the court include Sushmita Goswami, Pratim Lahkar, Debajyoti Hazarika, and Jio Langsat Narzary. Their accounts are focused on the sequence of events during the yacht outing on 19 September 2025.
Singapore vs Assam: Parallel Findings
Singapore authorities separately concluded their investigation into Garg's death. Singapore's State Coroner Adam Nakhoda ruled in March 2026 that the singer's death was an accidental drowning, and the Singapore Police Force stated that its investigation found no evidence of foul play. Despite this, the Assam Criminal Investigation Department (CID) constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) following allegations raised by the singer's family, and the Assam proceedings have continued independently under Indian legal process.
Chargesheet and Accused Persons
The SIT subsequently registered a criminal case and filed a chargesheet naming seven accused persons. Those named include Garg's manager Siddhartha Sarma, festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, and the late singer's bandmates Shekharjyoti Goswami and Amritprabha Mahanta. The chargesheet reportedly includes murder charges and alleges a criminal conspiracy linked to the incident.
What Comes Next
With Talukdar's deposition, the prosecution's examination of witnesses connected to the Singapore yacht party continues. More witness statements are expected as the fast-track court proceeds with the trial. The dual nature of the proceedings — Singapore's accidental-drowning ruling on one hand and Assam's criminal chargesheet on the other — continues to define one of the most closely watched legal battles in the region's recent memory.
Point of View
If any, is largely outside India — will test both the reach of Indian criminal process and the evidentiary weight of overseas testimony. What the mainstream coverage underplays is how the outcome will set a precedent for how Indian courts handle deaths of nationals abroad when foreign authorities and domestic investigators arrive at diametrically opposed conclusions.
NationPress
23 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Zubeen Garg and how did he die?
Zubeen Garg was a renowned Assamese singer, aged 52, who died on 19 September 2025 during a yacht trip in waters near Lazarus Island, Singapore. He had been in the city for the North East India Festival and was scheduled to perform the following day. Singapore's State Coroner ruled his death an accidental drowning in March 2026.
What is the Assam fast-track court examining in this case?
The fast-track court in Assam is examining prosecution evidence, including testimony from witnesses present at or linked to the yacht party attended by Garg on 19 September 2025. The court is proceeding under Indian criminal law based on a chargesheet filed by an Assam CID Special Investigation Team.
Who has been charged in the Zubeen Garg death case?
The Assam CID's SIT filed a chargesheet naming seven accused persons, including Garg's manager Siddhartha Sarma, festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, and bandmates Shekharjyoti Goswami and Amritprabha Mahanta. The chargesheet reportedly includes murder charges and alleges a criminal conspiracy.
What did Singapore authorities find in their investigation?
Singapore's State Coroner Adam Nakhoda ruled in March 2026 that Zubeen Garg's death was an accidental drowning. The Singapore Police Force separately stated that its investigation found no evidence of foul play in the singer's death.
Why is the Assam court proceeding despite Singapore's findings?
The Assam criminal proceedings were initiated following allegations raised by members of Garg's family and others, prompting the Assam CID to form an SIT that registered a criminal case independently. Indian courts are not bound by foreign investigative conclusions, and the Assam court is examining the evidence placed before it under applicable Indian legal process.
