A large number of Zubeen Garg’s fans gathered outside the Guwahati residence of his manager, Siddharth Sarma, on Thursday, demanding his arrest. Sarma has remained out of public view since the sudden death
of the iconic singer in Singapore last week.
The protest followed growing public outrage after Garg, 52, died by drowning while in Singapore for the North East India Festival on September 19. Garg passed away at Singapore General Hospital after facing complications during a yacht trip, where he reportedly encountered difficulties while swimming.
A visual shared by The Assam Tribune on X showed a tense scene as hundreds of fans gathered outside Sharma’s residence, attempting to break the iron gate while police personnel inside tried to hold them back.
A tense situation erupted on September 25 when a large group of agitated fans gathered outside the Dantalpara, Manpara residence of Zubeen Garg’s manager, Siddhartha Sharma, demanding that he come out and face them.#ZubeenGarg #TheAssamTribune pic.twitter.com/GHbLTk4W7G
— The Assam Tribune (@assamtribuneoff) September 25, 2025
Agitated fans also assembled outside the residence of Shyamkanu Mahanta, chief organiser of the North East India Festival. Mahanta has released a statement on social media denying any wrongdoing and claiming innocence.
The Assam government has banned Mahanta and all organisations affiliated with him from hosting any cultural or public events in the state. Financial support, advertisements, or sponsorships for his events have also been withdrawn by the state, with a request sent to the Centre to do the same.
The development comes amid an ongoing investigation by a 10-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), set up by the Assam government to probe Garg’s death.
Headed by CID Special DGP Munna Prasad Gupta, the SIT will examine all circumstances leading to the incident, including questioning those who accompanied the singer on the trip — such as members of the Assam Association in Singapore and NEIF organisers.
Earlier today, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma urged the people not to spread rumours on social media that could disrupt the investigation. He assured that if the SIT probe is found to be unsatisfactory at any point, the state would recommend a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry.
“Our stand is clear that we will uncover the truth of what happened that day by all possible means, and we will not compromise in this matter in any way,” Sarma said.
(With inputs from PTI)