Was Zubeen Garg Intoxicated and Refused to Wear a Life Jacket? Singapore Police Reveal in Court
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Zubeen Garg reportedly consumed alcohol before his drowning incident.
- Witnesses indicated he entered the water without a life jacket.
- Concerns were raised about his medical history during the inquiry.
- The investigation is ongoing, with numerous witnesses set to testify.
- The police have dismissed conspiracy theories surrounding his death.
New Delhi, Jan 14 (NationPress) New revelations surfaced during a coroner's inquiry into the tragic death of singer Zubeen Garg. Multiple witnesses testified in court that he had been consuming alcohol aboard a yacht shortly before the incident that led to his drowning.
According to the testimonies, Garg was seen drinking various alcoholic beverages, with one witness noting that he had several cups, including gin, whisky, and Guinness Stout.
The investigating officer informed the court that Garg had initially gone swimming, returned to the yacht, and expressed that he was tired before entering the water again shortly after.
The inquiry also delved into Garg’s medical history, revealing he had a known history of hypertension and epilepsy. His last documented epileptic episode was in 2024, and forensic analysis confirmed the presence of medication for both conditions in his bloodstream.
However, investigators were unable to definitively ascertain whether Garg had taken his epilepsy medication on the day of the incident, as eyewitness accounts regarding this were not clear.
A forensic pathologist testified that there were no physical signs, such as a bitten tongue, to indicate whether Garg experienced an epileptic seizure before entering the water.
The vessel's captain, operating the yacht named Crazy Monkey, provided evidence stating that Garg required assistance from two friends to board the yacht, as he was unable to walk unassisted.
The captain further mentioned that some passengers started drinking even prior to boarding and that he carried out two safety briefings during the trip.
In his testimony, he expressed concern when he observed Garg entering the water for a second time without a life jacket, warning one of Garg's friends that he seemed intoxicated and should not be in the water without safety equipment.
The captain recounted that he jumped into the water and swam towards Garg after noticing him floating face-down.
Police informed the court that witness accounts indicated Garg had entered the water of his own volition and showed no signs of suicidal intent.
As the inquiry continues, it is expected that around 35 witnesses, including passengers, crew members, police officers, and paramedics, will provide testimonies.
Before the proceedings commenced, Garg’s uncle, Manoj Kumar Borthakur, read a statement expressing concerns regarding the circumstances surrounding the singer's death. However, State Coroner Adam Nakhoda noted that some of the issues raised were not directly relevant to establishing the cause of death, as reported by a media outlet in Singapore.
In the aftermath of Garg's death, numerous conspiracy theories have emerged, leading to multiple arrests by Assam Police, including his manager, a festival organizer, and a senior police officer, who is also his cousin. Allegations have ranged from negligence to accusations of poisoning.
Yet, the Singapore Police Force has consistently refuted these claims, asserting that there is no evidence of foul play, with investigations suggesting an accidental drowning.