The legal proceedings connected with the death of: Zubeen Garg entered a new phase. The: Supreme Court of India issued a notice on the bail petition filed by event organizer Shyam Kanu Mahanta. The case is related to the investigation into the death of Garg during a yacht trip in Singapore in September 2025. A bench of Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice Joymalya Bagchi directed the State to: Assam to answer. The announcement has been made back at the end of July.
The bail plea was filed after the Court rejected it
As reported by Live Law, the accused organizer approached the Supreme Court after the Gauhati High Court rejected his bail plea on May 29. Mahanta has been in custody since October 1, 2025. His arrest is linked to the ongoing investigation into the incident. During the hearing, the Senior Advocate: Siddharth: Dave argued in favor of bail. He said, “Man dies by drowning.” There is no flight risk, I have no money, my passport has been deposited,” while demanding to be released from custody.
Prosecution allegations and case framework
Investigators are not treating the incident as an accidental drowning. However, they described it as part of a wider alleged conspiracy. The charge sheet includes several sections under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. These include provisions relating to murder, culpable homicide, criminal conspiracy, cheating, extortion, criminal breach of trust, and destruction of evidence. Authorities alleged that the organizer played a role in facilitating the conditions that contributed to the incident during the Singapore yacht outing.
Safety concerns and investigation claims
The prosecution alleged that Zubeen Garg was taken on a yacht trip despite known medical concerns. He is said to be suffering from epilepsy. It is also claimed that he is undergoing treatment for alcohol addiction. Officials also advised him to medically avoid alcohol, fire exposure, and water-related activities. Despite this, arrangements were allegedly made for a yacht outing where alcohol was served. The event is linked to the North East India Festival organized in Singapore.The Gauhati High Court had earlier rejected the bail plea, citing prima facie evidence of involvement in the alleged conspiracy. It observed that there were no adequate safety measures during yacht travel. The court also noted concerns about witness tampering and the possibility of absconding. The High Court examined around 394 witnesses in the case. It also stated that the case is still at the stage of charge consideration. The court held that custody of about eight months does not amount to long imprisonment. A special court has been established to conduct the trial proceedings.
Legacy of Zubeen Garg
Zubeen Garg is a respected musician, composer, and performer. He has worked extensively in the Assamese, Bengali, and Hindi music industries. He is considered a major cultural figure in Indian music. He died aged 52 in September 2025 after drowning near Singapore’s Lazarus Island. He is in the country as part of a cultural delegation for the North East India Festival.