Guwahati, April 17: Advocate General Devajit Saikia on Friday opened the Assam government’s arguments in the charge framing hearing before the special fast-track court in the Zubeen Garg death case.

Saikia told reporters that the government side would require six to seven days to present its arguments comprehensively, ensuring that no loopholes remain. “Charge framing hearing has been going on for the last 15 days now. I commenced the arguments on behalf of the Assam government side, and it will be taken forward by our team,” he said.

He noted that defence lawyers had raised a “technical issue” regarding the sanction obtained from the Centre, since the case involves Garg’s death in Singapore. Saikia countered that there were no lapses in securing the sanction, leaving the matter for the court to decide.

Special Public Prosecutor Ziaur Kamar and his team will continue presenting the government’s arguments on the remaining charges. Saikia emphasized that the process would take several days to ensure thoroughness.

Zubeen Garg, a popular singer from Assam, drowned while swimming off Lazarus Island in Singapore on September 19, a day before he was scheduled to perform at the North East India Festival. The Assam Police’s CID Special Investigation Team filed a charge sheet in December naming seven accused, four of whom face murder charges.

The special fast-track court is hearing the case daily. While Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told the Assembly in November that Garg’s death was a case of “plain and simple murder,” Singapore Police concluded in its separate probe that there was no evidence of foul play. Assam authorities have maintained that the Singapore findings will not affect proceedings in India.