Singapore Police have ruled out foul play in the death of acclaimed Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, though authorities caution that the investigation may take up to three months to conclude, after which the findings will be submitted to the State Coroner for further proceedings.
Garg, 52, drowned while swimming off St John’s Island in Singapore on September 19, a day before he was scheduled to perform at the North East India Festival. The Singapore Police Force (SPF) said the preliminary investigation has been completed and shared the autopsy report and findings with the High Commission of India on October 1.
The SPF emphasised that a Coroner’s Inquiry, led by a judicial officer, will determine the cause and circumstances of the death once the investigation concludes. The process is fact-finding in nature, with the results made public.
Also read: Two more in Zubeen Garg case sent to judicial custody
“We seek the patience and understanding of the parties involved. Meanwhile, we urge the public not to speculate and spread unverified information,” the SPF statement said, noting the circulation of false reports online regarding the singer’s death.
In Guwahati, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited Garg’s resting place at Sonapur on Friday to pay his respects. He was received at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport by Assam Pradesh Congress president Gaurav Gogoi and other senior leaders. Gandhi also visited the singer’s residence to convey condolences to the bereaved family.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had commented on Thursday that the visit came 28 days after Garg’s passing, but added that “better late than never”. “We had expected a senior Congress leader like Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi or someone else to be present at the singer’s cremation,” he said.
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