Zubeen Garg death case: Singapore-based Assamese witness deposes before fast-track court

Guwahati, Sep 2 (IANS) Parikshit Sharma, associated with the Assam Association in Singapore, appeared before the special fast-track court in Guwahati on Wednesday to record his testimony in the death case of singer and musician Zubeen Garg.

Sharma is understood to be the first member of the Assam Association who was present aboard the yacht in September 2025, when Garg died in Singapore. He appeared before the court as a witness. His presence on the yacht has made his testimony significant to the ongoing trial.

Garg, 52, died on September 19, 2025, after he went into the sea for swimming while on a yacht outing near Lazarus Island in Singapore. He had travelled to Singapore for the fourth edition of the North East India Festival.

The death triggered widespread grief and protests in Assam and subsequently led to multiple police complaints and a detailed investigation by the Assam Police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT). More than 60 FIRs registered across the state were later clubbed and transferred to the CID.

The SIT filed its charge sheet in December 2025, naming seven accused. Four of them — North East India Festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, Garg’s manager Siddharth Sharma, bandmate Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and singer Amritprabha Mahanta face murder charges.

The other accused are Garg’s cousin Sandipan Garg and his personal security personnel, Nandeswar Bora and Prabin Baishya.

The Gauhati High Court constituted an exclusive fast-track sessions court in March this year for day-to-day proceedings in the case. Charges were formally framed against all seven accused in May, paving the way for the trial.

The trial began on June 8, with witnesses being examined on a daily basis. The proceedings have continued despite a Singapore Coroner’s Court finding in March this year that Garg died from drowning and ruling out foul play in Singapore.

The Indian proceedings are examining allegations arising from the broader circumstances surrounding his death. As of August 14, the prosecution had examined 94 of the 394 witnesses listed in the case, with several Singapore-based witnesses still to appear.

The Supreme Court has also urged the Assam government to expedite the trial.

Parikshit Sharma’s appearance is viewed as an important development, particularly because of his direct presence on the yacht.

Details of his deposition and the questions put to him during the proceedings are awaited.

–IANS

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