The Gauhati High Court has postponed its decision on the bail petition of Shyamkanu Mahanta, a primary accused in the high-profile death case of legendary singer and composer Zubeen Garg. During a hearing on Friday, Justice Mitali Thakuria scheduled the next proceedings for May 22, citing the need to meticulously review the extensive case records before issuing an order.
The hearing saw Mahanta’s legal representation appearing via video-conferencing. The defense informed the court of their intent to submit new documents and file an additional affidavit. In response, the court directed the defense to produce these materials by May 18.
Speaking to the press following the hearing, Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Ziaul Kamar emphasized the complexity of the ongoing legal battle. While courts sometimes grant bail during the motion stage without a full review of the case diary, Kamar noted that this instance is different.
“Since this is a sensitive case and there is a huge case diary, the court needs time to go through the records,” Kamar stated.
The hearing also saw the appearance of Advocate General Devajit Saikia. According to the SPP, Saikia intends to review the new documents once filed by the defendant’s counsel. The state may subsequently file formal objections and seek additional time if necessary.
This is not Mahanta’s first attempt to secure release. A special fast-track court previously rejected his bail application on April 30, specifically citing a “risk of fleeing.” Mahanta had originally applied for bail on April 10, following an earlier application that he had ultimately withdrawn.
Mahanta is one of seven individuals named in a charge sheet filed by a Special Investigation Team of the Assam Police’s CID in December. He is among four accused currently facing murder charges.
The death of Zubeen Garg continues to be a point of significant contention between local authorities and international investigators. The beloved artist drowned on September 19 while swimming off Lazarus Island in Singapore, just one day before he was scheduled to perform at the North East India Festival.
While the Singapore Police concluded their separate probe with a finding of “no foul play,” Assam’s leadership has maintained a different stance. In November, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told the state Assembly that Garg’s death was a case of “plain and simple murder.”
Assam authorities have reiterated that the findings from Singapore will not impact the local trial or the murder charges currently being pursued in Indian courts.
