Zubeen Garg death probe: CID to submit Singapore video footage to Fast Track Court
Synopsis
Assam's CID SIT has placed Singapore video footage before a Fast Track Court in Guwahati in the Zubeen Garg death case — a cross-border digital evidence move that could prove decisive. With four of seven accused charged with murder and a bail battle running in parallel at the Gauhati High Court, the trial is entering a critical evidentiary phase.
Key Takeaways
Assam CID SIT submitted Singapore video footage before a Fast Track Court in Guwahati on 22 June .
Zubeen Garg died on 19 September last year while swimming near Lazarus Island, Singapore , a day before a scheduled NEIF performance.
A chargesheet has been filed naming seven accused ; four face charges of murder .
Key accused Siddhartha Sarma , Garg's former manager, is contesting bail at the Gauhati High Court after a lower court rejected his plea.
Multiple prosecution witnesses have already deposed; the digital evidence is expected to strengthen the prosecution's case further.
Assam's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Monday, 22 June moved to place video footage from Singapore before a Fast Track Court in Guwahati, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing trial into the death of celebrated Assamese singer Zubeen Garg. The submission of digital evidence is expected to significantly strengthen the prosecution's case as the high-profile proceedings advance.
Key Developments in Court
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the CID appeared before the court carrying multiple electronic devices and digital evidence as the hearing resumed. According to sources close to the investigation, the footage pertains directly to the incident in Singapore, where Zubeen Garg died on 19 September last year while swimming near Lazarus Island — a day before he was scheduled to perform at an event organised under the North East International Festival (NEIF) banner.
State of the Trial
The latest hearing follows the examination of multiple prosecution witnesses in recent weeks. Special Public Prosecutor Ziaur Kamar had earlier stated that the recording of evidence was progressing steadily, with several witnesses already deposing before the court. The CID SIT has filed a chargesheet naming seven accused individuals, of whom four have been charged with murder, while the remaining face charges under various other provisions of law.
Bail Battle at Gauhati High Court
Legal proceedings involving one of the key accused, Siddhartha Sarma, a former manager of Zubeen Garg, are continuing on a parallel track. Sarma had approached the Gauhati High Court after a Fast Track Court rejected his bail application. The High Court subsequently sought records related to the case and fixed a date for hearing the matter.
What the Singapore Footage Could Establish
Investigators believe the digital evidence sourced from Singapore could corroborate witness testimony and documentary records already before the court. This comes amid sustained public and political attention on the case in Assam, given Garg's stature as one of the state's most beloved cultural figures. Notably, the submission of overseas digital evidence in a Fast Track Court underlines the cross-jurisdictional complexity of the probe.
With the court set to continue examination of witnesses and documentary evidence, the trajectory of the trial in the coming weeks will be closely watched across the state.
Point of View
Whether through formal mutual legal assistance channels, and whether its admissibility will be contested by the defence. The parallel bail proceedings for Siddhartha Sarma at the Gauhati High Court add a procedural layer that could slow the trial's momentum if the High Court intervenes. Assam has a history of high-profile cases stalling at the evidence stage; the speed at which this Fast Track Court disposes of the digital evidence will test whether the 'fast track' label holds in practice.
NationPress
22 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Zubeen Garg death case?
The case concerns the death of celebrated Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, who died on 19 September last year while swimming near Lazarus Island in Singapore, a day before a scheduled performance at the North East International Festival. Assam Police CID constituted an SIT to investigate the circumstances, and a chargesheet has since been filed naming seven accused, four of whom face murder charges.
What evidence did the CID submit before the Fast Track Court on 22 June?
The CID SIT appeared before the Guwahati Fast Track Court carrying electronic devices and digital evidence, including video footage sourced from Singapore related to the incident. Investigators believe this footage will form a crucial part of the prosecution's case.
Who is Siddhartha Sarma and why is his case significant?
Siddhartha Sarma is a former manager of Zubeen Garg and one of the key accused in the case. After the Fast Track Court rejected his bail plea, he moved the Gauhati High Court, which has sought case records and fixed a date for hearing — adding a parallel legal track to the trial.
How many people have been charged in the Zubeen Garg case?
The CID SIT has filed a chargesheet naming seven accused individuals. Of these, four have been charged with murder, while the others face charges under various other provisions of law.
What happens next in the trial?
The Fast Track Court is expected to continue the examination of witnesses and documentary evidence. The submission of Singapore video footage is seen as a turning point, and the outcome of Siddhartha Sarma's bail hearing at the Gauhati High Court will also shape the trial's pace.
