Indian singer Zubeen Garg drowned while swimming near Lazarus Island in Singapore in September 2025, police told a coroner’s court on January 14. Authorities said the 53-year-old was “severely intoxicated” and not wearing a life vest at the time of the incident.
Assistant Superintendent of Police David Lim of the Police Coast Guard testified at the coroner’s inquiry, telling the court that Garg had consumed alcohol and declined to wear a life vest before jumping off a yacht. Friends tried to persuade him to swim back to the yacht, but during the swim, Garg reportedly became motionless and was later seen floating face down in the water.
“He was pulled back onto the yacht, and his friends attempted resuscitation,” ASP Lim said. Garg was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead on September 19, 2025. The official cause of death was drowning.
The court heard that Garg had been in Singapore to attend the North East India Festival, a cultural event organised by the Assamese community. One of Assam’s most popular and influential singers, Garg had a large following across north-eastern India.
ASP Lim was the first witness to testify at the inquiry, which was attended by members of the public as well as Garg’s family, including his uncle and nephew. The investigation is examining the circumstances surrounding his death.
The proceedings are ongoing.
