The official Facebook page of Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has been flooded with messages and comments from fans of the late Indian singer Zubeen Garg, demanding justice over his death in Singapore last month.
Thousands of users posted under Wong’s 15 October 2025 post, using the hashtag #JusticeForZubeenGarg to call for transparency and accountability in the ongoing investigation.
Social media platforms were quickly overtaken by posts from the Assamese diaspora, with the hashtag trending globally.
Many netizens described Garg as the “soul of Assam,” portraying his death as a personal loss for millions.
One widely circulated post read: “We proudly call this place the land of Zubeen Garg, a planet that sings his name. His sudden demise in Singapore has left us in deep sorrow and anger. We appeal for honesty and cooperation in finding the truth.”
The statement reflected the sentiments of thousands across Assam, who believe the singer’s death was not adequately explained by the initial findings of Singapore’s authorities.
Circumstances of death and official response
Garg, aged 52, reportedly drowned during a yacht outing near St John’s Island on 19 September 2025.
The Singapore Police Force initially stated that no foul play was suspected, and the death certificate reportedly issued by Singapore’s authorities cited drowning as the cause of death.
However, amid growing public pressure, the Assam government ordered a second autopsy, formed a judicial inquiry under a Gauhati High Court judge, and created a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe further.
Petition to Singapore authorities
On 13 October 2025, a formal petition from Assam was submitted to Singapore’s police, demanding transparency in the inquiry.
Signed by 59 residents from Sonapur and Dimoria, the petition was addressed to Commissioner of Police Hoong Wee Teck and copied to several senior Singaporean officials, including Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam, Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Attorney-General Lucien Wong, and State Coroner Adam Nakhoda.
The High Commission of India in Singapore also received a copy.
The petition emphasised that the Assamese public respected Singapore’s legal system but expected full cooperation and clarity.
Expanding investigation in Assam
In Assam, the investigation has widened significantly.
According to The Indian Express, Garg’s manager Siddhartha Sharma and festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta were arrested in Delhi on 1 October and transported to Guwahati for questioning.
The next day, two band members — Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and Amritprava Mahanta — were also detained.
On 8 October, NDTV reported that Garg’s cousin, Sandipan Garg, who serves as an Assam Police officer, was arrested. Subsequently, two of the singer’s long-serving security officers, Nandeswar Bora and Paresh Baishya, were detained after investigators discovered deposits exceeding Rs 10 million (approx.US$113,700) in their bank accounts — amounts deemed disproportionate to their income.
Garg’s wife, Garima Saikia Garg, defended the transactions, telling NDTV that the money had been used for her husband’s charitable activities.
“Zubeen had given some money to the PSOs for the social work he does. They have all the bank statements and maintained a diary of transactions,” she said.
More than 60 First Information Reports (FIRs) have been filed across Assam, citing offences including murder, culpable homicide, conspiracy, and negligence, according to The Times of India on 10 October 2025.
Public mobilisation and vigils
Public frustration has spilled into the streets and onto social media.
Pratidin Time reported that the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) held candlelight vigils across the state, while actress Amrita Gogoi led an online protest on 13 October, calling for justice.
The slogan “Justice for Zubeen” has become a rallying cry across India and among the Assamese diaspora.
The Times of India described the movement as spreading “from sand to screens,” symbolising both on-ground protests and the digital campaign.
A Change.org petition has also been launched, demanding a fair and impartial investigation and urging Singaporean authorities to question all individuals present during Garg’s final moments.
The citizen petition to Singapore was coordinated partly by Rakesh Hazarika, Director of the Global Pandemic Response Forum and Executive Director of the Centre of Efficient Governance (CEG).
In a media statement, Hazarika emphasised that the initiative was “peaceful, non-political, and rooted in faith in Singapore’s judicial system.”
Meanwhile, Indian authorities have sought cooperation from Singapore under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) to access medical and autopsy reports, witness testimonies, and surveillance footage.
Officials in Assam are also reviewing videos that appear to show Garg entering the water — both with and without a life jacket — in an effort to clarify the circumstances surrounding his death.
On 16 October 2025, The Sentinel Assam reported that Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met the Singapore High Commissioner at Assam Bhawan in New Delhi.
The meeting addressed bilateral relations and ongoing developments in the Garg case.
The Singapore envoy reportedly confirmed that local police had concluded the autopsy and submitted a report but declined to reveal details, urging patience until investigations conclude.
Chief Minister Sarma assured the envoy of Assam’s full cooperation, expressing hope that the inquiry would deliver clarity and closure to Garg’s family and millions of admirers worldwide.
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