Zubeen Garg death: Bandmate Shekhar claims Siddharth said 'Jabo de, jabo de' as singer struggled on yacht

The death of Assamese singer Zubeen Garg on September 19 in Singapore continues to raise questions. While early reports suggested a scuba diving mishap, his wife Garima Saikia Garg clarified that he suffered a seizure while swimming at Lazarus Island. She dismissed any claims of a diving accident.

Days later, the controversy deepened after bandmate Shekhar Jyoti Goswami accused Garg’s manager Siddharth Sharma and North East India Festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta of foul play. Both have since been arrested by Assam Police.

Allegations of negligence and foul play

According to the media reports, Shekhar alleged that Siddharth and Shyamkanu poisoned Zubeen and deliberately ignored his critical condition. He claimed that Siddharth took charge of the yacht in a suspicious manner, risking passengers’ safety.

Shekhar further alleged that when Zubeen was seen frothing at the mouth and nose, Siddharth brushed it off as “acid reflux” and refused to take urgent medical action. He also claimed Siddharth was heard saying, “Jabo de, jabo de” (let him go), as Zubeen struggled. Witnesses present believe this inaction may have hastened the singer’s death.

Questions around yacht party

The bandmate also pointed out irregularities at the private yacht party. According to him, Siddharth had told organiser Tanmoy Phukan not to arrange drinks, insisting that he would handle them himself. He also questioned the liquor and company arranged for Zubeen, for which Siddharth allegedly failed to provide a clear explanation.

Shekhar insisted that Zubeen, an experienced swimmer, could not have drowned in natural circumstances. He further alleged that Siddharth instructed him not to share any video recordings of the incident with outsiders, raising more suspicion.

On September 23, Zubeen Garg was laid to rest with full state honours at Kamarkuchi village in Sonapur. Thousands of fans and admirers gathered to bid their final goodbye to the singer, whose death has left the Assamese music world in grief and shock.