Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma alleges that late singer Zubeen Garg was deliberately intoxicated and financially exploited by close associates. The upcoming chargesheet is expected to reveal “explosive details” about manipulation, fraud, and the events leading to his death.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday made a striking revelation regarding the circumstances surrounding the late singer and cultural icon Zubeen Garg’s declining health and eventual death. Speaking to reporters in Nalbari, the Chief Minister alleged that individuals close to the artist routinely intoxicated him with the deliberate intention of misappropriating his wealth and controlling his professional engagements.
Sarma stated that the ongoing investigation into the singer’s death has unearthed “explosive details,” suggesting a systematic pattern in which alcohol was supplied to Garg to weaken his judgment and exploit his financial vulnerability. The Chief Minister’s remarks have sparked renewed public attention toward the death of one of Assam’s most celebrated musicians.
According to Sarma, investigators discovered strong indications that Zubeen Garg was not naturally inclined toward heavy drinking, as is often perceived publicly. Instead, he was allegedly manipulated by certain individuals who introduced alcohol into his daily routine, especially during events and performances, to gain financial leverage.
“Zubeen Garg was made to drink alcohol to loot his wealth. Some people fed him alcohol and exploited him. Many explosive details have come to light in the investigation,” the Chief Minister told the media, underscoring the gravity of the findings.
Incident of Payment Manipulation
Sarma cited a specific incident from a past Bihu function where the singer was paid ₹5 lakh for a performance. However, those managing him allegedly convinced him—while he was in an intoxicated state—that he had received only ₹2.5 lakh.
“He was intoxicated and believed the same, and that’s how a certain group indulged him in alcohol and looted him,” Sarma said. This alleged manipulation, he added, reflected a broader pattern of financial exploitation that the investigation is continuing to unravel.
Contradicting Public Perception
The Chief Minister emphasized that his personal interactions with Zubeen Garg were very different from the widely circulated image of the singer as someone frequently under the influence of alcohol. Sarma said that in all the mornings he met Zubeen—more than 50 times in total—the singer was sober and composed.
“The number of times Zubeen came to me in the morning, he was never drunk. The things he said in the evening were only because he was made to drink,” Sarma stated. He added that the details emerging from the death probe corroborate his observations.
Sarma appealed to the public to refrain from linking Zubeen’s legacy with alcoholism, emphasizing that such an association distorts the truth about his personal habits and undermines his contributions to Assam’s cultural landscape.
“I request the public not to associate Zubeen with alcohol. In my life, I met Zubeen over 50 times; he was never drunk. The chargesheet will bring out more,” he said.
A Cultural Icon Lost Amid Unanswered Questions
Zubeen Garg, who passed away earlier this year, was one of the most influential figures in Assam’s modern cultural history. Known for his extraordinary versatility—spanning music, acting, direction, and social activism—his death created a wave of emotional outpour, accompanied by demands for clarity regarding the events that preceded his demise.
His influence extended far beyond Assam, with a career that flourished across multilingual music industries. For many, he was not just a singer but a symbol of Assamese cultural pride.
Anticipation Around the Charge Sheet
With the investigation currently underway, officials have indicated that the filing of the charge sheet is expected to provide significant insights into the series of events that shaped the final years of the singer’s life. The revelations, according to sources, may include testimonies, financial evidence, and communication records pointing toward concerted efforts to manipulate, intoxicate, and mislead him for monetary gain.
As the state awaits the findings, Sarma’s statements have intensified discussions on accountability, personal vulnerability of public figures, and the exploitation that often remains hidden behind fame.
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The Chief Minister reiterated that the forthcoming chargesheet would “bring out the truth” and help the public understand the real circumstances that contributed to Zubeen Garg’s tragic decline, hoping it will also serve as a wake-up call against similar exploitation of artists.
