Guwahati, Jan 23: Two of the accused in the Zubeen Garg death case withdrew their bail petitions during a hearing at the Kamrup Metropolitan District and Sessions Court on Thursday.
North East India Festival director Shyamkanu Mahanta and Zubeen Garg’s cousin Sandipan Garg chose to withdraw their bail applications when the court took up pleas filed by five of the seven accused. Mahanta has been charged with murder, while Sandipan Garg, a suspended Assam Police officer, faces charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
The court heard arguments on bail applications filed by singer Amritprava Mahanta and Zubeen Garg’s personal security officers Paresh Baishya and Nandeswar Bora. The matter has been posted for further hearing on January 30, when orders are expected.
Singer’s secretary Siddhartha Sharma and band member Shekhar Jyoti Goswami have not yet moved the court seeking bail.
The accused appeared before the court through video conferencing, while Zubeen Garg’s widow Garima and sister Palmee Borthakur were present in person. Speaking to reporters, Garima said the prosecution placed strong arguments opposing bail, adding that the family was satisfied with the proceedings. Palmee Borthakur said the family is awaiting the court’s decision scheduled for January 30.
Zubeen Garg, a well-known Assamese singer, died on September 19 while swimming near Lazarus Island in Singapore during the North East India Festival. A Singapore coroner’s court recently ruled out foul play and stated that the cause of death was drowning while he was severely intoxicated and not wearing a life jacket.
The Assam government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case. The SIT filed its chargesheet on December 12, charging Shyamkanu Mahanta, Siddhartha Sharma, Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and Amritprava Mahanta with murder. Sandipan Garg was charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, while the two personal security officers were charged with criminal conspiracy and breach of trust.
The state cabinet has also appointed a five-member special prosecution team to conduct the case, led by senior advocate Ziaul Kamar.
