Assam Cabinet to Seek Fast-Track Court in Zubeen Garg Death Case

Guwahati: The Assam Cabinet on Thursday resolved to formally request the Gauhati High Court to constitute a fast-track or exclusive court to expedite proceedings in the Zubeen Garg death case, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced.

Speaking to reporters after the Cabinet meeting in Guwahati, Sarma said the move follows an appeal from the late singer’s family, even though the state government had expressed satisfaction with the manner in which the current court has been handling the matter.

“The Cabinet has approved a proposal to request the Hon’ble Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court to consider setting up a fast-track or exclusive court for the trial. The next course of action will rest with the Chief Justice,” Sarma stated.

Family’s Request Takes Priority

The Chief Minister noted that while the government believes justice would have been ensured under the existing court, the family’s views remain paramount.

“In most death-related cases, accused persons tend to secure bail within three to four months after the trial begins. In this case, however, bail applications were rejected by the presiding judge. We were confident the matter was progressing appropriately. Still, the family has sought a fast-track court, and we will respect their request,” he said.

The case pertains to the death of popular Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, who died under mysterious circumstances in Singapore on September 19 last year while reportedly swimming in the sea. He had travelled there to attend the fourth edition of the North East India Festival.

Earlier Allegations of ‘Conspiracy’

The development comes weeks after Sarma publicly alleged that a “conspiracy” was being orchestrated around the demand for a fast-track court.

In remarks made on February 22, he claimed there were attempts to shift the case away from the current judge to allegedly facilitate bail for the accused before the elections.

“This is a design by certain media houses and the Congress party to change the judge, grant bail, and later blame the BJP. It is political in nature,” Sarma had alleged at the time, warning that the government would not be responsible for any consequences if the case were transferred.

Concerns Over Delays

On February 16, Garima Saikia Garg, the singer’s wife, along with Public Prosecutor Ziaul Kamar, had expressed dissatisfaction over the pace of proceedings in the Kamrup Metropolitan District and Sessions Court.

Kamar pointed out that multiple petitions filed by the accused on various aspects of the case had delayed the process, and the trial itself had yet to commence.

Accused in Custody

Several individuals remain in judicial custody in connection with the case, including NEIF chief organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, the singer’s manager Siddharth Sharma, band members Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and Amrit Prabha Mahanta, his cousin and Assam Police DSP Sandipan Garg, and his personal security officers Nandeswar Bora and Prabin Baishya.

Shyamkanu Mahanta is the younger brother of former Assam DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, who also served as the Chief Information Commissioner of the Assam State Information Commission. Gauhati University Vice-Chancellor Nani Gopal Mahanta is another elder brother.

With the Cabinet now formally backing the family’s plea, the matter will move to the Gauhati High Court for consideration on whether a fast-track mechanism will be constituted to accelerate the high-profile trial.

ALSO READ: “Conspiracy Hatched in Guwahati, Executed in Singapore”: Prosecutor in Zubeen Garg Death Case