'Suspicious behaviour, obstructed emergency medical assistance'; Mystery looms over Zubeen Garg’s death

Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, an eyewitness to the incident and a member of Zubeen Garg’s band, alleged that Zubeen’s death was murder. The allegation comes after reports emerged that the singer died of drowning, but not from respiratory issues suffered while scuba diving. He said that Zubeen Garg's manager, Siddharth Sharma and North East India Festival manager Shyamkanu Mahanta were behind the murder. He also alleged that poisoning and negligence in providing treatment led to the death. Goswami alleged that a foreign country was deviously chosen by the perpetrators to make it look like an accident.

It was on September 19th that news emerged about Zubeen’s accidental death due to respiratory failure while scuba diving in Singapore. The popular singer was in the country to participate in the Northeast India Festival. However, the post-mortem report mentioned the death as a case of drowning. Goswami denied this as he said there was no way an expert swimmer like Zubeen could drown in the waters while alongside other swimmers.

Goswami was also alongside Zubeen in the waters at the time of the incident. However, Goswami alleged abnormality in the behaviour shown by manager Siddharth Sharma. "Siddharth was the one who controlled the yacht, and when Zubeen got into an accident while swimming, instead of saving him, Siddharth Sharma shouted "Jabo de, Jabo de" (let him go). Goswami also alleges that when Zubeen foamed from his mouth and nose, Sharma misrepresented it as acid reflux and even obstructed emergency medical assistance.

Goswami told the police that Siddharth Sharma took the responsibility of serving drinks to Zubeen and barred others from doing the same. Goswami also alleged that the manager had not given him accurate information about the liquor and women escorts arranged for the singer. In addition, Goswami told the police that he had instructed him not to share the video footage of the events on the yacht with others.

Goswami's revelations were recorded in the police remand report. Currently, the police have registered a case against Siddharth Sharma and Shyakanu Mahanta for conspiracy and culpable homicide. Zubeen’s wife, Garima, also demanded a detailed investigation, citing the mystery surrounding the incident. Based on all this, the police are conducting a vigorous investigation.