In a significant development concerning the ongoing trial into the death of legendary singer and musician Zubeen Garg, Singapore-based witness Parikshit Sharma appeared before a special fast-track sessions court in Guwahati on Wednesday. Sharma, who holds a key position within the Assam Association in Singapore, was present on the yacht during the September 2025 maritime outing when Garg tragically lost his life. Due to his direct presence at the location of the incident, legal experts consider his deposition a crucial step toward establishing the sequence of events surrounding the tragedy.
Background of the Tragic Incident in Singapore
The 52-year-old iconic artist Zubeen Garg passed away on September 19, 2025, after entering the waters for a swim during a yacht trip near Lazarus Island in Singapore. Garg had traveled to the island nation specifically to participate in the fourth edition of the North East India Festival. His sudden and unexpected death triggered widespread grief, outrage, and public protests across Assam, leading to multiple police complaints registered in various districts. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the Assam Police established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to launch a thorough investigation. Eventually, more than 60 separate FIRs filed across different parts of the state were consolidated and officially handed over to the Crime Investigation Department (CID).
Charge Sheet Naming Seven Accused Individuals
Following months of detailed investigation, the SIT filed its comprehensive charge sheet in December 2025, naming seven individuals as accused in connection with the musician's death. Among them, four prominent figures face formal charges of murder. These include Shyamkanu Mahanta, the chief organizer of the North East India Festival, Siddharth Sharma, who served as Garg's personal manager, Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, a member of Garg's music band, and singer Amritprabha Mahanta. Additionally, three other individuals have been named as co-accused in the legal proceedings: Sandipan Garg, who is the cousin of the late singer, along with Nandeswar Bora and Prabin Baishya, who served as his personal security personnel.
Fast-Track Trial Setup and Examination Progress
To ensure a swift trial, the Gauhati High Court constituted an exclusive fast-track sessions court in March this year to hold day-to-day hearings on the matter. Formal charges were framed against all seven accused in May, allowing the trial to officially proceed into the evidence phase. The prosecution commenced the examination of witnesses on June 8, keeping up a daily hearing schedule. Official records indicate that by August 14, the prosecution had already examined 94 of the 394 listed witnesses, with several other Singapore-based witnesses slated to depose in the coming sessions.
Divergent Findings and Directives from the Apex Court
The trial in Guwahati proceeds even as a parallel inquiry by the Singapore Coroner's Court concluded in March that Garg died from accidental drowning, finding no evidence of foul play within its territorial jurisdiction. However, the special court in India is actively scrutinizing broader allegations, potential conspiracy angles, and circumstances surrounding the tragedy. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of India has directed the Assam government to ensure that the court proceedings move forward expeditiously without unnecessary delays. Although Parikshit Sharma appeared in court as scheduled, the exact details of his deposition and the specific questions put to him remain confidential for now.
