Seven Accused in Zubeen Garg Death Case to Appear Virtually in Guwahati Court

The Kamrup (Metro) Chief Judicial Magistrate's Court is scheduled to hear the high-profile case involving the death of iconic Assamese singer Zubeen Garg on Tuesday, with all seven accused set to appear via video conferencing to avert possible law and order issues.

The decision for virtual appearance on the initial hearing day follows a special application by the Assam Police's Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which highlighted security risks associated with physically producing the accused in court.

The proceedings mark the formal commencement of the judicial process after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) filed a detailed chargesheet last week.

Government advocate Pradip Konwar explained that the court had originally ordered in-person production of the accused.

However, following consultations with the prosecution team and the director of prosecution, the CID's concerns were upheld, allowing virtual participation to minimise risks of public disruption.

In Tuesday's session, the magistrate is expected to confirm the accused's health conditions and ensure they are provided with copies of the chargesheet.

The CID has been directed to deliver these documents to the accused in their respective jails.

Five of the accused — North East India Festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, Zubeen Garg's manager Siddharth Sharma, his cousin and Assam Police Service officer Sandipan Garg, and personal security officers Nandeswar Bora and Paresh Baishya — are currently detained at Baksa district jail.

The other two — drummer Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and co-singer Amritprava Mahanta — are held at Haflong sub-jail in Dima Hasao district.

The prosecution stated that virtual appearances are permitted only for this initial phase.

Once the chief judicial magistrate transfers the case to a sessions court — as required for grave offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 — physical presence will be mandatory throughout the trial.

Zubeen Garg died under suspicious circumstances in Singapore on September 19, 2025, prompting widespread demands for justice and leading to the formation of the SIT.

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