The sudden demise of singer Zubeen Garg in Singapore has taken a chilling twist as his manager is arrested on charges of conspiracy and murder.
Published: October 4, 2025 6:16 PM IST
The Indian music world is reeling from the shocking death of Zubeen Garg, the celebrated 52-year-old singer known for his magical voice and unmatched charisma. While the first reports from Singapore suggested that the singer had drowned during a yacht trip off Lazarus Island, the narrative has now taken a sinister turn. Investigators suspect foul play, with Zubeen’s long-time manager Siddharth Sharma under arrest for alleged involvement in a chilling conspiracy.
Zubeen was in Singapore for the 4th edition of the Northeast India Festival and had joined a private yacht party on September 19. What began as a leisurely outing ended in tragedy when the singer collapsed while swimming. Initially dismissed as a drowning accident, new details have thrown the entire episode into question.
Why was Zubeen’s manager arrested?
On October 1, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) arrested Siddharth Sharma on serious charges of criminal conspiracy, murder, and culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The arrest came after damning testimony from key witness Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, Zubeen’s close bandmate, who alleged that the singer was poisoned.
According to Goswami’s statement under Section 175 BNSS, Sharma, along with festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, orchestrated the conspiracy and deliberately chose an international venue to mask their actions. The remand note, accessed by investigators, suggests that what looked like an accident may have been a meticulously planned crime.
Was Zubeen really poisoned?
Goswami claimed that Sharma took unusual control over the yacht arrangements, including insisting that he would personally supply the liquor and instructing organisers not to bring drinks of their own. He further alleged that Sharma forbade him from sharing yacht videos and even forced control of the vessel, causing it to wobble dangerously.
When Zubeen began gasping for breath and foaming at the mouth and nose, Sharma allegedly brushed it aside, calling it “acid reflux.” Goswami recalled him shouting “Jabo de, jabo de” (let him go, let him go) as the singer struggled, words that have now become a central part of the investigation.
Could Zubeen have drowned by accident?
The drowning theory, which dominated headlines initially, is now being strongly contested. Goswami pointed out that Zubeen was a trained swimmer who had even coached both him and Sharma in swimming. “It’s impossible to believe he drowned by accident,” he said, casting further suspicion on the official account of events.
What evidence has the SIT found?
The investigation has unearthed troubling details. Co-singer Amrit Prabha Mahanta and actress Nishita Goswami corroborated that Sharma facilitated not only the alcohol supply but also “inappropriate company” for Zubeen during the trip. This included arranging for him to share accommodation with his female co-singer at Singapore’s Pan Pacific Hotel.
The remand note also mentions Sharma’s inability to provide any reasonable explanation for the liquor arrangements or the circumstances leading to Zubeen’s final hours. Financial transactions, documents, and multiple witness accounts appear to establish a prima facie case against him.
A loss too big for fans to accept
As the SIT deepens its probe, fans, colleagues, and family members are devastated by the loss of one of India’s most beloved voices. Social media has been flooded with tributes and demands for justice, as many still struggle to process the fact that the man who gave them timeless melodies may have been the victim of betrayal and conspiracy.
Zubeen Garg’s passing has left behind not just unanswered questions but also a void in Indian music that no investigation can ever truly fill.
Highlights:
- Zubeen Garg’s tragic death in Singapore is no longer seen as accidental drowning.
- His manager Siddharth Sharma has been arrested on charges of conspiracy and murder.
- Witnesses allege Zubeen was poisoned and deliberately placed in a vulnerable situation.
