SINGAPORE: Investigations into the death of Indian singer-songwriter Zubeen Garg in 2025 have concluded, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said on Wednesday (Apr 1).
This comes after the state coroner ruled his death an accidental drowning with no evidence of foul play.
"In accordance with the Singapore Coroners Act 2010, the SPF investigated the case thoroughly, and examined available evidence and recorded statements from all relevant witnesses," the police said.
Mr Garg, 52, died on Sep 19, 2025, following an incident during a yacht trip in the waters off Lazarus Island.
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Investigations found that he had initially been wearing a life jacket while swimming, but later removed it. He returned to the yacht without it.
He subsequently re-entered the water without a life jacket, despite being offered one, and swam away from the yacht alone.
When swimming back to the yacht, Mr Garg became unresponsive. He was rescued by the captain of the yacht and members of his group.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was immediately administered when Mr Garg was brought back to the yacht. A Police Coast Guard boat responded shortly after an emergency call and paramedics attended to him upon reaching shore.
Mr Garg was taken to Singapore General Hospital, where he later died.
The police said that post-mortem findings, including toxicology analysis and autopsy results, confirmed drowning as the cause of death.
The toxicology report found that Mr Garg had 333 milligrams of ethanol per 100ml of blood, more than four times Singapore's legal limit of 80 milligrams per 100ml.
This level of alcohol would likely result in severe intoxication, significantly impairing coordination and reflexes, particularly in individuals not accustomed to alcohol, said the police.
"Other substances detected were within therapeutic ranges and consistent with his existing medical conditions of epilepsy and hypertension," SPF added.
The findings were submitted to the state coroner for a coroner's inquiry, which establishes the cause and circumstances of a death.
"The state coroner considered all evidence, including the SPF's investigation findings, and ruled the death of Mr Zubeen Garg as an accidental drowning on Mar 25, 2026, with no evidence of foul play, consistent with what SPF had found through our investigations," the police said.
"The coroner also found no evidence to suggest that Mr Zubeen Garg's death was caused by an anaphylactic reaction to medications, substances, food or drinks."
SPF said in October that it did not suspect foul play in Mr Garg's death and reiterated this in December.
Directly addressing a concern raised by Mr Garg's widow about this finding, State Coroner Adam Nakhoda said in his ruling that the police had carried out a comprehensive investigation.
He said that Mr Garg's death was "simply due to an unfortunate and tragic accidental drowning" and that no one had forced, coerced or pushed him into the water.
There was also no evidence that the people rescuing him had deliberately held his face underwater, said Mr Nakhoda.
Mr Garg died a day before he was slated to perform at the North East India Festival in Singapore, which was organised to mark 60 years of diplomatic relations between Singapore and India.
He was cremated with state honours in his home state of Assam, where he was hugely popular. His cremation ceremony, which included a 21-gun salute, drew more than a million mourners.
"The SPF extends our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr Zubeen Garg," said the police.
"Members of the public are reminded to refrain from comments that impugn the integrity of the court's judgment or the judicial process."
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This comes after the state coroner ruled his death an accidental drowning with no evidence of foul play.
"In accordance with the Singapore Coroners Act 2010, the SPF investigated the case thoroughly, and examined available evidence and recorded statements from all relevant witnesses," the police said.
Mr Garg, 52, died on Sep 19, 2025, following an incident during a yacht trip in the waters off Lazarus Island.
CNA Games
Show More Show Less
Investigations found that he had initially been wearing a life jacket while swimming, but later removed it. He returned to the yacht without it.
He subsequently re-entered the water without a life jacket, despite being offered one, and swam away from the yacht alone.
When swimming back to the yacht, Mr Garg became unresponsive. He was rescued by the captain of the yacht and members of his group.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was immediately administered when Mr Garg was brought back to the yacht. A Police Coast Guard boat responded shortly after an emergency call and paramedics attended to him upon reaching shore.
Mr Garg was taken to Singapore General Hospital, where he later died.
The police said that post-mortem findings, including toxicology analysis and autopsy results, confirmed drowning as the cause of death.
The toxicology report found that Mr Garg had 333 milligrams of ethanol per 100ml of blood, more than four times Singapore's legal limit of 80 milligrams per 100ml.
This level of alcohol would likely result in severe intoxication, significantly impairing coordination and reflexes, particularly in individuals not accustomed to alcohol, said the police.
"Other substances detected were within therapeutic ranges and consistent with his existing medical conditions of epilepsy and hypertension," SPF added.
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The findings were submitted to the state coroner for a coroner's inquiry, which establishes the cause and circumstances of a death.
"The state coroner considered all evidence, including the SPF's investigation findings, and ruled the death of Mr Zubeen Garg as an accidental drowning on Mar 25, 2026, with no evidence of foul play, consistent with what SPF had found through our investigations," the police said.
"The coroner also found no evidence to suggest that Mr Zubeen Garg's death was caused by an anaphylactic reaction to medications, substances, food or drinks."
SPF said in October that it did not suspect foul play in Mr Garg's death and reiterated this in December.
Directly addressing a concern raised by Mr Garg's widow about this finding, State Coroner Adam Nakhoda said in his ruling that the police had carried out a comprehensive investigation.
He said that Mr Garg's death was "simply due to an unfortunate and tragic accidental drowning" and that no one had forced, coerced or pushed him into the water.
There was also no evidence that the people rescuing him had deliberately held his face underwater, said Mr Nakhoda.
Mr Garg died a day before he was slated to perform at the North East India Festival in Singapore, which was organised to mark 60 years of diplomatic relations between Singapore and India.
He was cremated with state honours in his home state of Assam, where he was hugely popular. His cremation ceremony, which included a 21-gun salute, drew more than a million mourners.
"The SPF extends our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr Zubeen Garg," said the police.
"Members of the public are reminded to refrain from comments that impugn the integrity of the court's judgment or the judicial process."
Continue reading...