Guwahati, May 16: The Gauhati High Court on Friday heard the bail petition of Shyamkanu Mahanta, a prime accused in the death case of singer-composer Zubeen Garg. Justice Mitali Thakuria presided over the proceedings and fixed May 22 as the next date of hearing.

Special Public Prosecutor Ziaul Kamar informed reporters that Mahanta’s counsel appeared via video-conferencing and sought time to submit new documents along with an affidavit. The court directed the defense to file the additional papers by May 18. Justice Thakuria noted that given the sensitivity of the matter and the extensive case diary, she would require time to examine the records before issuing any order on the bail plea.

Advocate General Devajit Saikia also appeared during the hearing. He stated that once the defense files its submissions, he would review them and, if necessary, place objections before the court.

Mahanta’s earlier bail plea before the special fast-track court was rejected on April 30, with the court citing the risk of absconding. He had initially applied for bail on April 10 but later withdrew the petition.

Zubeen Garg drowned while swimming off Lazarus Island in Singapore on September 19, a day before his scheduled performance at the North East India Festival. The Assam Police’s CID, through a Special Investigation Team, investigated the incident and filed a charge sheet in December naming seven accused, four of whom face murder charges, including Mahanta.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had described Garg’s death in the Assembly as “plain and simple murder.” However, Singapore Police, which conducted a separate inquiry, concluded there was no evidence of foul play. Assam authorities have maintained that the foreign probe will not affect proceedings in India.