In a stunning development in the investigation into the death of Assamese music legend Zubeen Garg, the post-mortem report from Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) has definitively ruled out poisoning as the cause of death. Forensic analysis of his viscera and body fluids, corroborated by the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in New Delhi, found no traces of toxic substances, confirming that the beloved singer’s death on September 19, 2025, resulted from drowning. This finding aligns with an earlier autopsy conducted in Singapore, where Garg passed away under mysterious circumstances during an event abroad.

The GMCH report directly contradicts claims made by Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, a member of Garg’s band and one of seven individuals arrested in connection with the case. Goswami had alleged that Shyamkanu Mahanta, the chief organiser of the North East India Festival, and Garg’s manager, Siddharth Sharma, may have poisoned the singer, fueling speculation and complicating the Special Investigation Team’s (SIT) probe. Other arrested individuals include band member Amritprava Mahanta, Garg’s cousin and Assam Police Service officer Sandipan Garg, and personal security officers Paresh Baishya and Nandeswar Bora. The dismissal of the poisoning theory shifts the investigation’s focus to the circumstances surrounding the drowning.

Although minor external injuries were noted on Garg’s body, sources close to the investigation emphasized that these marks were not severe enough to contribute to his death. “There is no link between the external marks and the cause of death,” a source stated anonymously. The consistency between the Singapore and GMCH autopsies strengthens the drowning conclusion, dispelling earlier theories of foul play involving toxic substances. Garg’s body was cremated in Guwahati on September 23, following the second autopsy, amid widespread public grief and rampant speculation about the events leading to his demise.

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With poisoning ruled out, the SIT is now intensifying its efforts to reconstruct Garg’s final hours, examining whether negligence, accident, or other factors led to the tragic drowning. The arrests of key figures close to Garg, including event organizers and security personnel, suggest a complex web of relationships and potential oversights under scrutiny. As Assam mourns the loss of a cultural icon, the investigation’s next steps will be critical in determining accountability and uncovering the truth behind the singer’s untimely death, which continues to captivate and shock the region.

Also Read: Singapore Witnesses Ready to Assist Assam Police in Zubeen Garg Death Probe: CM