As Accused Hire Top Lawyers, AASU Demands Senior Prosecutors for Zubeen Garg Case

The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) on Sunday wrote an urgent letter to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, demanding the constitution of a special court and the appointment of a team of senior criminal lawyers as Special Public Prosecutors to ensure speedy and effective justice in the death of noted singer Zubeen Garg.

The letter was jointly signed by AASU President Utpal Sarma and General Secretary Samiran Phukan, who described Garg’s death as one of the most painful tragedies for Assam and its people in recent years.

The students’ body noted that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Assam government has completed its probe into the case and submitted a chargesheet before the court. The chargesheet, AASU said, has clearly established that Garg was murdered. Judicial proceedings in the case have already commenced.

“AASU, along with the people of Assam, has consistently demanded justice for Zubeen Garg. The perpetrators must be punished,” the organisation stated.

The students’ body recalled that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had on several occasions publicly assured that justice would be delivered in the case and had also announced that a Special Public Prosecutor would be appointed to assist the prosecution through the legal process.

However, AASU pointed out that during the ongoing court hearings, it has been observed that each of the accused persons has engaged senior and experienced defence lawyers. In such a situation, the organisation said, it has become imperative to appoint a strong and competent legal team to represent Garg’s side.

“A stage has now arrived where Zubeen Garg’s case requires the appointment of a team of senior advocates with proven experience in criminal law as Special Public Prosecutors. At the same time, there is an urgent need for a special court to expedite the trial and ensure justice is not delayed,” the letter said.

In its appeal to the Chief Minister, AASU made the following specific demands:

1. A special court should be constituted to fast-track the judicial process in the Zubeen Garg murder case. The organisation urged the state government to take effective steps, including approaching the Hon’ble High Court, for setting up such a court.

2. A team of senior and experienced criminal lawyers should be appointed immediately as Special Public Prosecutors to conduct the prosecution on behalf of Zubeen Garg.

Reiterating that justice delayed would amount to justice denied, AASU urged the state government to take prompt and decisive action to ensure that the legal process is strengthened and that the guilty are brought to book without delay.

Also Read: When the Accused Lawyer Up and the State Lags Behind: Alarming Gaps in Zubeen Garg Case