Guwahati, Jan 10: The Assam Cabinet on Friday approved the appointment of a five-member team of special public prosecutors to conduct the trial in the death case of cultural icon Zubeen Garg. Senior advocate Ziaul Kamar has been appointed as the special public prosecutor to lead the team.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the decision at a press conference following the Cabinet meeting. He said Brojendra Mohan Choudhury will serve as additional public prosecutor, while Kishore Dutta, Pranjal Dutta and Bikash Jamar have been appointed as assistant public prosecutors. According to Sarma, the team has been constituted to ensure expeditious conduct of the legal proceedings.

The Cabinet also approved a grant of Rs 5 crore for a trust proposed to be set up by Garg’s family in his memory. The chief minister said the state government would support initiatives aimed at preserving the late artist’s legacy.

Zubeen Garg, a 52-year-old singer, composer and actor, died while swimming in the sea in Singapore on September 19 during the North East India Festival. A Special Investigation Team of the Assam Police’s CID filed a charge sheet on December 12, naming festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, Garg’s secretary Siddhartha Sharma, and band members Shekharjyoti Goswami and Amritprava Mahanta as accused in a murder case. Garg’s cousin, suspended police officer Sandipan Garg, has been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Two personal security officers, Nandeswar Bora and Prabin Baishya, have been charge-sheeted for criminal conspiracy and breach of trust in connection with alleged misappropriation of funds. The case is being heard by the Kamrup (Metro) District and Sessions Court, with the next hearing scheduled for January 17. Garg’s wife, Garima, had earlier requested the government to appoint special public prosecutors in the case.