Zubeen Garg Death Investigation: 11 NRI Witnesses From Singapore Yacht Party Under Scrutiny

The Assam CID's Special Investigation Team (SIT) has intensified its investigation, focusing on 11 NRIs of Assamese origin who attended the yacht party with singer Zubeen Garg in Singapore. These individuals are considered crucial witnesses in the investigation of Garg's unexplained death while swimming on September 19, just a day before his scheduled performance at the Northeast India Festival.

CID sources revealed that summons were issued to eight NRIs through the Indian High Commission in Singapore with assistance from Singaporean police authorities. Subsequently, three additional NRIs were also summoned, with all 11 being requested to participate in the investigation by October 6.

While none met the established deadline, one individual, Rup Kamal Kalita, who had returned from Singapore, underwent approximately six hours of questioning by the SIT on Tuesday. His statement was recorded, and he will be required to provide additional testimony before a magistrate in accordance with Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions.

According to SIT sources, all 11 individuals have received their summons and have maintained communication with the SIT through the Indian High Commission in Singapore. They are anticipated to join the investigation sequentially.

The summoned NRIs include Tanmoy Phukan, a longtime acquaintance of Zubeen Garg who reportedly organized the yacht party, and prominent members of the Assam Association of Singapore, including President Abhimanyu Talukdar and General Secretary Debjyoti Hazarika. Other individuals named by SIT sources include Siddartha Bora, Parikshit Sarma, Bajid Ahmed, Bhaskar Dutta, Pritam Bhuyan, G Narzary, and Sushmita Goswami.

Many of these individuals are employed by prominent companies in Singapore, while others operate their own businesses. CID sources indicated that most are established residents with their families in Singapore.

According to CID sources, these individuals have reportedly informed the Indian High Commission in Singapore that their participation in the SIT investigation has been delayed because the Singapore police are conducting their own investigation into the unnatural death, requiring them to remain in Singapore to provide statements.

The Assam Association of Singapore, representing the Assamese diaspora in Singapore, has previously clarified that the yacht party was not an official association event. They stated that it was privately organized by select members of the Assamese community residing in Singapore.

The 52-year-old singer had gone swimming in the sea during the yacht party when he was discovered deceased, floating face down in the water. He was visiting Singapore to participate in the three-day North East India Festival scheduled to commence on September 20, which was subsequently canceled following the singer's death.