Police Officer Among Those Held in Zubeen Garg Case
In a major development in the ongoing probe into the mysterious death of celebrated Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, the Assam Police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) has arrested his cousin, Sandipan Garg, a Deputy Superintendent in the Assam Police Service. The arrest marks the fifth in the high-profile case that has gripped the Northeast and sparked widespread speculation about the circumstances surrounding the singer’s untimely death in Singapore.
According to senior officials, Sandipan Garg was taken into custody after five consecutive days of questioning by the SIT. The police said they found inconsistencies in his statements and certain details that linked him to the events leading up to Zubeen’s death. The officer was produced before a local court on Tuesday and has been remanded to seven days in police custody, though the SIT had sought a 14-day remand for further interrogation.
Death During Singapore Yacht Party
The 52-year-old singer, composer, and cultural icon died on September 19 while attending the North East India Festival in Singapore. As per official reports, Zubeen was at a yacht party with friends and colleagues when he went for a swim. Moments later, he was discovered floating face down in the water, leading to an immediate investigation into possible foul play.
Authorities confirmed that Sandipan, who accompanied Zubeen on what was his first international trip, was present at the party. He reportedly helped retrieve and bring back some of the singer’s personal belongings to India following the tragedy. Initially considered a cooperating witness, Sandipan later became a suspect after the SIT reportedly uncovered contradictions in his account and digital evidence suggesting concealment of key details.
☹️Zubeen Garg with cousin and APS officer Sandipan Garg.
Zubeen's cop_cousin Arrested,He was in Singapore Yacht Party where singer died
The cousin Sandipan,is an Assam Police Services officer,arrested in Connection with the singer's Mysterious Death! pic.twitter.com/aUnzCeJ3N2— 🇮🇳 DIPTANGSHU 🚩(🇮🇳 का परिवार) (@Diptang01274703) October 8, 2025
In a recent Facebook post, Sandipan claimed he had “fully cooperated” with investigators and denied any wrongdoing. However, officials stated that his version of events failed to match witness testimonies and forensic findings, prompting his arrest under sections related to murder, culpable homicide not amounting to murder, criminal conspiracy, and causing death by negligence.
SIT Widens Its Investigation
The SIT, led by Munna Gupta, the Special Director General of Police of Assam’s CID, has been systematically piecing together the sequence of events surrounding Zubeen Garg’s final hours. Gupta confirmed Sandipan’s arrest and said departmental action, including suspension, would follow due process.
Earlier, on October 2, police arrested four others — Zubeen’s bandmate Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, co-singer Amritprava Mahanta, his manager Siddharth Sharma, and North East India Festival manager Shyamkanu Mahanta. All four were allegedly present during the yacht party and are believed to have key information about what transpired that night.
Investigators revealed that Goswami was swimming close to Zubeen when he drowned, while Mahanta was filming the group on her phone, footage that has since become a critical piece of evidence. Both have been booked under the same charges and are currently in police custody.
Shock and Demand for Justice
The arrest of a senior police officer in the case has triggered a wave of shock and anger among Zubeen Garg’s fans and the Assamese community worldwide. Social media platforms have been flooded with tributes, demands for justice, and calls for a transparent investigation.
Zubeen Garg, known for chartbusters like Ya Ali and numerous Assamese hits, was one of the most influential figures in the region’s music and cultural scene. His death has not only left a void in the industry but also raised troubling questions about accountability and safety during international cultural events.
As the SIT intensifies its investigation, authorities have assured that no one — regardless of position or connection — will be spared if found guilty. The case continues to unfold, with the next phase of questioning expected to focus on forensic reports and mobile data analysis to establish the exact chain of events that led to the singer’s tragic demise.
