Inquiry Finds Singer Had Consumed Alcohol Before Drowning Incident

New Delhi, Jan 2026 : Fresh details emerged on Wednesday during a coroner’s inquiry into the death of singer Zubeen Garg, as multiple witnesses testified that he had consumed alcohol aboard a yacht shortly before the incident in which he drowned. The proceedings have shed light on the singer’s activities, medical history, and the sequence of events leading up to his death, while authorities reiterated that there was no evidence of foul play.

According to testimony presented before the court, Garg was seen drinking liquor while on the yacht. One witness stated that the singer consumed several cups of alcohol, including gin and whisky, and also took sips of Guinness Stout during the voyage. The evidence suggested that alcohol consumption had begun even before the yacht set sail, with passengers continuing to drink throughout the trip.

The investigating officer told the court that Garg had initially entered the water for a swim and later returned to the yacht, where he was heard saying that he felt tired. A short while later, he reportedly entered the water again. It was during this second entry into the water that the tragic incident occurred.

The inquiry also examined Garg’s medical background in detail. The court was informed that the singer had a documented history of hypertension and epilepsy, and that his last reported epileptic episode had occurred in 2024. Forensic analysis detected medication related to both conditions in his blood samples. However, investigators said it could not be conclusively established whether Garg had taken his epilepsy medication on the day of the incident, as eyewitness accounts on this issue were inconsistent and inconclusive.

A forensic pathologist, while presenting expert testimony, stated that there were no clear physical indicators—such as a bitten tongue—that would definitively establish whether Garg had suffered an epileptic seizure before entering the water. As a result, the inquiry could not confirm whether a medical episode contributed to the drowning.

The captain of the yacht, named Crazy Monkey, also appeared before the court to give evidence. He told the inquiry that Garg had to be physically supported by two friends while boarding the vessel, as he was unable to walk properly. The captain added that some passengers had already begun drinking before boarding and that he had conducted two safety briefings during the journey.

In his testimony, the captain said he became concerned when he saw Garg entering the water for the second time without wearing a life jacket. He warned one of Garg’s friends that the singer appeared intoxicated and should not go into the water without proper safety equipment. The captain further stated that after noticing Garg floating face-down, he immediately jumped into the water and swam towards him in an attempt to help.

Police officials informed the court that witness statements indicated Garg had entered the water voluntarily and that there were no signs suggesting suicidal intent. The inquiry is expected to hear testimony from as many as 35 witnesses, including passengers, yacht crew members, police officers, and paramedics, as proceedings continue.

Before the hearing began, Garg’s uncle, Manoj Kumar Borthakur, read out a statement raising concerns about the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death. However, State Coroner Adam Nakhoda observed that some of the issues raised were not directly relevant to determining the cause of death, according to reports by a Singapore-based media outlet.

Since Garg’s death, several conspiracy theories have circulated on social media, prompting Assam Police to make multiple arrests, including those of his manager, a festival organiser, and a senior police officer who is also his cousin. Allegations have ranged from negligence to claims of poisoning. The Singapore Police Force, however, has consistently dismissed these claims, maintaining that there is no evidence of foul play and that investigations point to an accidental drowning.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)