Zubeen Garg death case: Singapore witness deposes in Guwahati fast-track court
Synopsis
For the first time in the Zubeen Garg murder trial, a witness who was physically aboard the yacht on the day the singer drowned has deposed before the Guwahati fast-track court — a significant milestone in a case that has pitted an Indian murder prosecution against a Singapore Coroner's ruling of accidental death.
Key Takeaways
Parikshit Sharma , an Assam Association Singapore member present on the yacht, deposed before the Guwahati fast-track court on 2 September 2026 .
Singer Zubeen Garg , 52 , drowned near Lazarus Island, Singapore on 19 September 2025 during a yacht outing.
The SIT charge sheet names 7 accused ; 4 — including festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta — face murder charges .
As of 14 August , 94 of 394 witnesses had been examined; several Singapore-based witnesses are still to appear.
A Singapore Coroner's Court ruled in March 2026 that Garg died from drowning with no foul play — a finding at odds with the Indian murder prosecution.
The Supreme Court has urged the Assam government to expedite the trial.
Parikshit Sharma, a member of the Assam Association in Singapore, appeared before the special fast-track sessions court in Guwahati on Wednesday, 2 September to record his testimony in the death case of celebrated Assamese singer and musician Zubeen Garg. Sharma is understood to be the first Assam Association member who was physically present aboard the yacht on the day Garg died, making his deposition one of the most consequential witness appearances in the ongoing trial.
Who Is Parikshit Sharma and Why His Testimony Matters
Sharma is associated with the Assam Association in Singapore and was among those aboard the yacht near Lazarus Island on 19 September 2025, when Garg entered the sea for a swim and did not return. His direct presence on the vessel distinguishes him from other witnesses examined so far, and the prosecution is expected to rely on his account to reconstruct the sequence of events. Details of his deposition and the questions put to him during the proceedings are awaited.
Background: How Zubeen Garg Died
Garg, 52, had travelled to Singapore to perform at the fourth edition of the North East India Festival. On 19 September 2025, he went into the sea while on a yacht outing near Lazarus Island and drowned. His death triggered widespread grief across Assam and sparked protests, leading to more than 60 FIRs being registered across the state. These were subsequently clubbed and transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
The Charge Sheet and Seven Accused
The Assam Police Special Investigation Team (SIT) filed its charge sheet in December 2025, naming seven accused. Four of them face murder charges: North East India Festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, Garg's manager Siddharth Sharma, bandmate Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, and singer Amritprabha Mahanta. The remaining three — Garg's cousin Sandipan Garg, and his personal security personnel Nandeswar Bora and Prabin Baishya — face related charges. Charges were formally framed against all seven in May 2026.
Trial Progress and Singapore Coroner's Ruling
The Gauhati High Court constituted an exclusive fast-track sessions court in March 2026 for day-to-day proceedings. The trial commenced on 8 June 2026, with witnesses examined on a daily basis. As of 14 August, the prosecution had examined 94 of the 394 witnesses listed in the case, with several Singapore-based witnesses yet to appear. Notably, a Singapore Coroner's Court finding in March 2026 concluded that Garg died from drowning and ruled out foul play — a finding that contrasts with the murder allegations being examined by Indian courts. The Indian proceedings focus on the broader circumstances surrounding his death. The Supreme Court has urged the Assam government to expedite the trial.
What Comes Next
With 300 witnesses still to be examined, the trial is at an early stage despite the daily-hearing format. Sharma's appearance brings the Singapore-based witness pool into the courtroom for the first time, and further depositions from witnesses based outside India are expected in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
The gap between judicial urgency — signalled by the Supreme Court — and the pace of actual proceedings deserves scrutiny.
NationPress
2 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Parikshit Sharma and why is his testimony important in the Zubeen Garg case?
Parikshit Sharma is a member of the Assam Association in Singapore who was present on the yacht near Lazarus Island when Zubeen Garg drowned on 19 September 2025. His direct presence on the vessel makes him one of the most significant witnesses in the trial, as he can provide a first-hand account of the events that unfolded that day.
What are the charges against the seven accused in the Zubeen Garg death case?
Four of the seven accused — festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, Garg's manager Siddharth Sharma, bandmate Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, and singer Amritprabha Mahanta — face murder charges. The remaining three, Garg's cousin Sandipan Garg and security personnel Nandeswar Bora and Prabin Baishya, face related charges framed in May 2026.
How did Zubeen Garg die?
Zubeen Garg, 52, drowned on 19 September 2025 after he went into the sea for a swim during a yacht outing near Lazarus Island in Singapore. He had travelled to Singapore to perform at the fourth edition of the North East India Festival. A Singapore Coroner's Court later ruled in March 2026 that his death was caused by drowning, with no foul play found.
What is the current status of the Zubeen Garg trial?
The trial is being conducted by an exclusive fast-track sessions court constituted by the Gauhati High Court in March 2026. Daily hearings began on 8 June 2026, and as of 14 August, 94 of 394 listed witnesses had been examined. The Supreme Court has urged the Assam government to expedite the proceedings.
How does the Singapore Coroner's ruling affect the Indian trial?
The Singapore Coroner's Court ruled in March 2026 that Zubeen Garg died from drowning and found no evidence of foul play. However, the Indian fast-track court is independently examining allegations arising from the broader circumstances of his death, and the murder charges against four accused remain active. The two proceedings operate under separate legal jurisdictions.
