Justice for Zubeen Garg: Fans persist as investigations continue in India and Singapore

By Nava Thakuria*

Even a month after the death of Assam’s cultural icon in under mysterious circumstances, thousands of his fans and admirers across eastern India continue their campaign for “.” A large digital campaign has gained momentum, with over two million social media users from around the world demanding legal action against those allegedly responsible. Although the Assam government has set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which has arrested seven people, and a judicial commission headed by of the to oversee the probe, public pressure for justice remains strong.

Since Zubeen’s sudden death on 19 September 2025 at the age of 53, followed by his cremation with full state honours on 23 September, Assam has witnessed subdued celebrations during , , and . Cultural events were largely cancelled, and public gatherings minimized. His cremation site in has gradually turned into a shrine, with fans visiting day and night to pay their respects. Zubeen, who sang thousands of songs in multiple languages and also produced and acted in , was instrumental in sustaining the regional film industry during difficult times.

Addressing widespread speculation, the recently issued a statement quoting the Singapore Police Force (SPF), confirming that it is investigating the circumstances surrounding Zubeen’s death. “The case is currently being investigated by the SPF in accordance with . Based on preliminary investigations, the SPF does not suspect foul play,” the statement said. It added that once the investigations are complete—possibly within three months—the findings will be submitted to the State Coroner, who will decide whether to hold a .

A Coroner’s Inquiry is a judicial fact-finding process to establish the cause and circumstances of a death, with findings made public upon completion. The SPF confirmed that despite the ongoing investigation, it provided the autopsy report and preliminary findings to the on 1 October 2025 upon request. The SPF emphasized that it is committed to a thorough and professional investigation and urged the public not to speculate or circulate unverified information.

Tensions escalated on 15 October when five accused—, chief organizer of the 4th ; Zubeen’s manager ; and district-level police officer among them—were moved to after their police remand ended. As news of the transfer spread, a large crowd gathered outside the new jail, and some in the mob attacked the convoy carrying the accused, demanding instant justice and opposing the judicial process. Police responded with batons and tear gas, leading to clashes in which several individuals, including journalists and police personnel, were injured. Three vehicles, including one belonging to a , were set on fire.

The Geneva-based media rights group Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemned the attacks on journalists and called for strict action against the perpetrators. PEC president urged Indian media organizations to hold safety training for journalists working in volatile environments. Internet services in the area were temporarily suspended, and police arrested nine individuals for their alleged involvement in the violence.

, who also handles the Home portfolio, has assured that the charge sheet will be filed within three months. He met Alice Cheng, the acting Singapore High Commissioner in New Delhi, seeking cooperation from Singaporean authorities. Although an autopsy was conducted at , a second post-mortem was performed at amid allegations of foul play. The Singaporean death certificate, however, listed drowning as the cause of death.

Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the , , visited Guwahati on 17 October to pay homage to Zubeen. Accompanied by Assam Congress president and Assembly opposition leader , Gandhi met Zubeen’s widow and his ailing father, , but refrained from political remarks during his visit. At a public memorial on 19 October, Gogoi alleged that Chief Minister Sarma was interfering in the investigation to protect the accused, while Saikia sent a letter to Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong requesting a transparent inquiry into the singer’s death.

Meanwhile, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced plans to honour Zubeen by erecting statues and opening two music schools in his memory, alongside one dedicated to Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. The party appealed to the public to refrain from spreading unverified information as both the Indian and Singaporean investigations continue. Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia emphasized the need for a transparent probe and expressed hope that the visiting Assam Police team led by SIT chief Munna Gupta would receive full cooperation from Singaporean authorities, ensuring that Zubeen’s family and the people of Assam eventually learn the truth about the singer’s final moments in Singapore.

---

*Senior journalist based in Guwahati

Comments

'Tax the top': Nationwide protests demand action as 1% control 40% of India’s wealth

By A Representative Civil rights groups across the country observed the martyrdom day of Bhagat Singh on March 23, as people from diverse backgrounds united to raise their voices against growing economic inequality. The mobilisations marked the launch of a nationwide campaign against inequality, running from March 23 to April 14 (Ambedkar Jayanti), under the banner of the “Tax The Top” campaign.

Fair prices, fresh produce: Vegetable market opens in Rajasthan tribal village

By Vikas Meshram* On 18 March 2026, the tribal village of Sajjangarh in southern Rajasthan witnessed the grand and dignified inauguration of a new vegetable market (mandi). Established through the tireless joint efforts of the Krushi Avam Adivasi Swaraj Sangathan (Bhilkuaan) and Vaagdhara, under the active leadership of the Gram Panchayat of Sajjangarh, the market is being hailed as a cornerstone for local self-governance, self-reliance, and a sustainable rural economy.

When democracy becomes a performance: The Tibetan exile experience

By Tseten Lhundup* I was born in Bylakuppe, one of the largest Tibetan settlements in southern India. From childhood, I grew up in simple barracks, along muddy roads, and in fields with limited resources. Over the years, I have watched our democratic system slowly erode. Observing the recent budget session of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, these “democratic procedures” appear grand and orderly on the surface, yet in reality they amount to little more than empty formalities. The parliamentarians seem largely disconnected from the everyday struggles faced by ordinary exiled Tibetans like us.

Study links sanctions to 500,000 deaths annually leading to rise in global backlash

By Bharat Dogra International opinion is increasingly turning against the expanding burden of sanctions imposed on a growing number of countries. These measures are contributing to humanitarian crises, intensifying domestic discord, and heightening international tensions, thereby increasing the risks of conflicts and wars.

Ex-IAS Atanu Chakraborty and a tale of two different Gujarat vision documents

By Rajiv Shah The likely appointment of Atanu Chakraborty as HDFC Bank chairman interested me for several reasons, but above all because I have interacted with him closely during my more than 14 year stint in Gandhinagar for the “Times of India”. One of the few decent Gujarat cadre bureaucrats, Chakraborty, belonging to the 1985 IAS batch, at least till I covered Sachivalaya was surely above controversies. He loved to remain faceless, never desired publicity, was professional to the core, and never indulged in loose talk. When he neared retirement, which happened in April 2020, first there were rumours in Sachivalaya that he would be appointed SEBI chairman, and then there was talk he would be chairman (or was it CEO?) of Gujarat International Finance Tec (GIFT) City (a dream project of Narendra Modi as Gujarat chief minister, which as Prime Minister Modi wants to promote, come what may). But, for some strange reasons, and I don’t know why, none of this happened, despite the fact...

Witnessing Iran beyond propaganda: Truth, war, and the path beyond western paradigm

By Naile Manjarrés On June 23, 2025—marked as the 2nd of Tir, 1404, on the Persian calendar—a ceasefire between Iran and Israel was announced. This "night of the decree" shifted the trajectory of global affairs; although the world may appear unchanged on the surface, we have yet to fully grasp its impact.

Environmental expert urges policy overhaul as forest and water resources face critical decline

By A Representative On the occasion of World Forest Day and World Water Day , observed on March 21 and 22, environmental voices from the Western Ghats have issued a stark warning to the Union government, calling for an urgent paradigm shift in how India manages its interconnected natural resources. In a formal communication addressed to Union Minister for Jal Shakti , Sri C R Patil , and Union Minister for Forest, Environment and Climate Change , Sri Bhupendra Yadav , policy analyst Shankar Sharma has highlighted a growing disconnect between sectoral policies and the holistic reality of resource governance.

Gujarat cadre to HDFC: When bureaucratic style hits corporate walls

By Rajiv Shah I was a little amused by the abrupt March 17, 2026 resignation of Atanu Chakraborty —a Gujarat cadre IAS officer of the 1985 batch who retired from the government in 2020—as chairman of HDFC Bank . Much of what may have led to his decision to quit this ostensibly high post—actually a non-executive, part-time role—is by now well known. I followed most of it online with considerable interest, partly because I had interacted with him umpteen times during my stint as The Times of India correspondent in Gandhinagar from 1997 to 2012.

A 366-metre gap, a million commuters affected: Kolkata metro delay hurts public interest

By Atanu Roy* Compromising the interests of ordinary people, the authorities concerned in West Bengal appear to be playing with the timeline of the Kolkata Metro’s Orange Line project , turning what should have been a transformative public transport corridor into a prolonged ordeal for commuters.

Search This Blog