Zubeen Garg's manager issues FIRST statement after SIT raids at his home

Zubeen Garg's manager, Siddhartha Sharma, has broken his silence after the singer's tragic death, shedding light on the ownership of Garg's extensive music catalog. Contrary to popular belief, Sharma revealed that most of Garg's 38,000 recorded songs are contractually owned by production houses and music companies, with Garg receiving only one-time recording fees.

Sharma emphasized that royalties from Garg's work as a composer and lyricist, managed through the Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS), always went directly to Garg's personal account and will now be transferred to his wife, Garima Garg.

What Sharma wrote

"Almost all of Zubeen da's songs, even the biggest blockbusters, were done before I entered his life. He often lamented how he was shortchanged, with producers and labels earning crores while he received only modest payments. This can be verified with those companies directly," Sharma wrote.

Sharma on Zubeen’s financial part

In 2021, Zubeen Garg took steps to secure ownership of some of his later works by establishing Zubeen Garg Music LLP, a business entity where his manager Siddhartha Sharma was also a partner. This venture released around 20 songs, with Garg himself contributing ?6 lakh out of a total investment of ?10 lakh. The LLP has generated minimal revenue, with earnings of only a few thousand rupees per month, and Garg owned 60% of the firm. Sharma has assured that he will ensure the remaining balance is transferred to Garg's family.

"The LLP has generated only a few thousand rupees monthly so far. The entire amount remains in the company account, with no withdrawals. Zubeen da owned 60 per cent of the firm, and I consider it my duty to ensure that his family rightfully inherits this stake," he added.

Appeal to fans

Zubeen Garg's manager, Siddhartha Sharma, has clarified that the singer's earnings from his work as a composer and lyricist were directly credited to his personal account and will now be transferred to his widow, Garima Garg. Sharma denied allegations of exploiting Zubeen's trust or finances, stating, "These rumours are baseless and deeply hurtful. I have cooperated with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing his death and will continue to do so."

He appealed to fans not to spread misinformation, saying, "This is a request from one human being to another. Let the investigation proceed without fear or prejudice. We owe it to Zubeen da's memory to pursue truth with dignity."

A day before Siddharth Sharma's statement, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) raided his residence in Guwahati's Datalpara area as part of the probe into Zubeen Garg's death. The SIT team arrived in the morning and waited outside the building for nearly two hours before starting the search. Upon reaching Sharma's apartment, they found it locked, and the lock was broken in the presence of a magistrate to facilitate the search.

How Zubeen died?

Singer Zubeen Garg's life was tragically cut short in a scuba diving accident in Singapore on September 19. He was rescued from the sea and rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was admitted to the ICU. Despite the best efforts of doctors, Garg succumbed to his injuries. At the time of the incident, he was in Singapore to perform at the North East Festival, a three-day event scheduled from September 19 to 21. The festival organizers confirmed his passing, stating he was declared dead in the ICU around 2:30 pm IST.