JusticeForZubeen: A Movement Beyond Grief

by Nava Thakuria

The initial wave of sadness and grief over the untimely death of Assam’s cultural icon in Singapore has now transformed into widespread outrage, with millions of fans demanding justice for Zubeen Garg. Admirers of the beloved “prince of melody” are convinced that something suspicious occurred during his yacht outing in the Southeast Asian nation.

The devastating news of Zubeen’s passing on 19 September 2025 brought life in Assam, a state of over 33 million people, to a standstill. Guwahati, the capital city, turned into a sea of mourners — weeping, sobbing, and questioning why their star had to die so far away from home.

His last journey on 21 September in a flower-decked ambulance and the public homage at Sarusajai Stadium witnessed an unprecedented gathering, with young people pouring in from across the Northeast. The mourning continued even after his cremation on 23 September at Kamarkuchi village, about 20 km east of Guwahati, where he was laid to rest with full state honours, including a 21-gun salute.

Allegations and FIRs

Even before the cremation, more than 50 police complaints were lodged across Assam against:

• Shyamkanu Mahanta, chief organizer of the 4th North East India Festival (where Zubeen was scheduled to perform),

• Siddharth Sharma, his manager,

with some FIRs also naming Shekarjyoti Goswami (a close associate) and Sanjive Narain, businessman and owner of Prag News and Dainik Janambhumi.

Complainants allege Zubeen’s death was the result of their negligence and collective callousness. Responding to the growing outcry, the Assam government set up a special investigation team (SIT) under the CID to probe the case.

Although an autopsy was conducted in Singapore before the body was handed over, another post-mortem was carried out at Gauhati Medical College in the presence of an AIIMS Guwahati doctor. However, both reports remain unpublished. The Singapore death certificate cites drowning as the cause, but doubts persist.

Government Action

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that look-out notices were issued for Mahanta and Sharma, directing them to appear before CID officials in Guwahati by 6 October. He has also requested the Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court to constitute a judicial commission under a sitting judge to ensure transparency.

The SIT has raided the residences of Mahanta and Sharma, seizing key items, while the CID has summoned individuals who were present or aware of events in Singapore. Eight non-resident Assamese professionals who joined Zubeen on the yacht outing have also been called to testify within 10 days.

Adding weight to the suspicions, Zubeen’s wife, Garima Saikia Garg, along with family members, has urged police to probe both the mysterious circumstances of his death and possible financial irregularities.

Singapore Connection

Breaking its silence, the Singapore Assam Association confirmed that Zubeen had joined a yacht trip to Saint John Island with some of its members. While expressing grief, the association said it would refrain from public comments until investigations were complete, as some members were assisting the authorities.

Legal and Political Reactions

In Assam, the lawyers’ association has appealed to its members not to defend the accused, saying it would be a historic mistake for the legal fraternity to side against justice in such a case.

Political parties too have stepped in.

• Gaurav Gogoi, Assam Congress president and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, alleged negligence and demanded a transparent investigation.

• Debabrata Saikia, Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly, has sought a CBI probe and written to President Droupadi Murmu for intervention.

Civil society groups, including the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), continue to press for a deeper investigation. Responding, CM Sarma has assured that if needed — given the incident occurred abroad — the case could be handed over to the CBI.

Meanwhile, the government has barred Mahanta from organizing further events in Assam and suspended financial assistance to his companies. Adding to the momentum, a PIL filed at Gauhati High Court by Aabhijeet Sharma and Palash Ranjan Baruah has demanded an independent probe, with a hearing scheduled for 10 November.

A Campaign Beyond Grief

What began as grief has now transformed into a mass movement under the banner of #JusticeForZubeen. For his admirers, the fight is not just about answers to the questions surrounding his tragic death but also about protecting the dignity and legacy of a voice that defined generations in Assam and beyond.