Guwahati/Delhi: The Assam government on Saturday ordered a probe into singer Zubeen Garg’s death in Singapore and declared a three-day state mourning. The announcement came as his wife, Garima Saikia Garg, appealed for peace during the singer’s final journey.

“Zubeen, best known for his ‘Ya Ali’ song, died in Singapore on Friday, while swimming in the sea without a life jacket,” Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

Sarma said his government would conduct an inquiry after multiple FIRs were filed across the state. He directed DGP Harmeet Singh to transfer all FIRs to the CID and register a consolidated case for a thorough investigation. The CID has registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), 2023, against NEIF chief organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, the singer’s manager Siddhartha Sharma, and others.

The CM also spoke to Singapore High Commissioner Simon Wong to request a detailed inquiry into the circumstances leading to Garg’s death.

During the mourning period, no official entertainment, dinners, or ceremonial functions will be held. “Our government has made elaborate arrangements to ensure everyone gets an opportunity to pay their respects. Please cooperate with relevant authorities to ensure a fitting tribute to our beloved Zubeen,” Sarma posted on X.

Zubeen Garg’s body to arrive in Guwahati

Garg’s mortal remains are expected to reach Guwahati around 7 am on Sunday. CM Sarma said the casket could not be accommodated in any chartered flight and is being flown from Delhi on a regular Air India Express flight IX 1197, which departed at 4:30 am.

“The casket carrying the mortal remains of our beloved Zubeen Garg from Singapore was too large to be accommodated in any chartered flight, despite our sustained efforts for over two hours,” Sarma wrote on X.

The singer’s body arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi around midnight on Saturday. Sarma received the body at the airport, accompanied by Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and senior Assam government officials, paying tribute to the late singer.

Massive public turnout and security arrangements

Thousands of people have gathered outside Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport since Saturday night to receive the singer’s body. A scuffle broke out, prompting police to resort to a mild lathi charge to disperse the crowd.

From Guwahati airport, the body will be taken to Garg’s residence, where family members, including his 85-year-old ailing father, will have about one-and-a-half hours to pay last respects. Later, the body will be shifted to the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex for public homage from 9 am to 7 pm.

Sarma said several organisations from Jorhat have requested that Garg’s last rites be performed in the town, with a memorial dedicated to him. “The government will not make any independent decision regarding the last rites of the singer. We will first consult his family whose wish will be the top priority, and also several organisations of the state, including the Asam Sahitya Sabha (ASS) and the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), and the people who were closely associated with him, before we make a final decision,” he said.

The Assam Cabinet will meet at 6 pm on Sunday to finalise the cremation venue.

Garima Saikia Garg appeals for calm

Garg’s wife, Garima, appealed to the public to maintain peace and not harbour ill feelings against manager Siddhartha Sharma, whom she described as “like our own brother.”

“Zubeen will come home soon and I request all to show the same love to him as they did during his lifetime so that he can rest peacefully,” she said, appearing for the first time on any media platform after his death. “People have showered immense love and respect on Zubeen and he also loved them unconditionally,” she added.