Guwahati, Feb 25: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Tuesday that he will discuss establishing a fast-track court with the family of late singer Zubeen Garg to expedite the trial of seven accused in his mysterious death.
Speaking on the sidelines of a programme in Mariani, Jorhat district, Sarma noted that the current judge has rejected all bail applications from the accused. “As a rule, judges aren’t changed after good results,” he said, adding, “The blame shouldn’t fall on me if a fast-track court leads to bail. The process may be slow, but the accused remain in jail after five months.”The CM emphasized consulting Zubeen Garg’s family before deciding. He dismissed opposition claims that the accused might be released post-assembly elections, stating, “They view it politically, but Zubeen was above politics.”
Zubeen’s wife, Garima Saikia Garg, and sister Palme Borthakur have voiced frustration over the slow pace at Kamrup Metropolitan District and Sessions Court. “The court entertains delaying petitions from the accused. We’ve requested a fast-track court for day-to-day hearings, but it hasn’t happened,” Garima said. Public Prosecutor Ziaul Kamar echoed the call, noting that multiple petitions have stalled regular hearings, which can’t begin until they’re resolved. The next hearing is on March 2.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT), formed by the Assam government, arrested seven individuals. Chargesheet details include murder accusations against North East India Festival Director Shyamkanu Mahanta, secretary Sidhartha Sharma, and band members Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and Amritprava Mahanta. Zubeen’s cousin and suspended police officer Sandipan Garg faces culpable homicide not amounting to murder, while PSOs Paresh Baishya and Nandeswar Bora are charged with criminal conspiracy and breach of trust.
The SIT submitted the chargesheet on December 12, with the first hearing on December 16. Zubeen Garg died under mysterious circumstances while swimming at the North East India Festival in Singapore on September 19.
