Zubeen Garg was murdered, reasons behind murder would shock people: Assam CM

GUWAHATI: The Assam government has said that the death of renowned Assamese singer Zubeen Garg (52) was a case of murder. It was Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma who said this in the state Assembly. Speaking in the assembly, Himanta Biswa Sarma said that police investigations had ruled out accidental death.

Zubeen Garg, who was in Singapore to perform at the North East India Festival, was injured during a scuba diving session. Although he was rushed to a hospital, he died soon after.

“This was not an accidental death. Assam Police have concluded that Zubeen Garg was murdered. One person carried out the killing while others assisted. Around five people have been arrested,” the Chief Minister said, responding to an adjournment motion moved by the Opposition. He added that the reasons behind the murder would “shock the people.”

The state government had earlier set up a special police team to probe the incident, in addition to ordering an inquiry under the supervision of a sitting High Court judge. The singer’s manager, team members, and even his security personnel are among those arrested.

Zubeen Garg was born on November 18, 1972, in Tura, Meghalaya, and came from an Assamese family and was closely tied to his ancestral village, Tamulichiga in Jhanji, Jorhat. He was one of the most celebrated musicians from Assam and a popular voice in Bollywood. He rose to national fame with the hit song “Ya Ali” from the film Gangster, starring Emraan Hashmi and Kangana Ranaut. He also sang in superhit Hindi films such as Krrish 3.

Beyond singing, Garg was a successful actor, director, and music composer. His Assamese films Mission China and Kanchanjungha became major commercial hits. He was also an accomplished instrumentalist, proficient in about a dozen instruments, including the dhol, dotara, drums, and tabla.