Zubeen Garg Death Case: Allegations of Delay Tactics, Demand for Special Court Intensifies

Guwahati: The family of Assam’s cultural icon Zubeen Garg has raised fresh concerns over alleged attempts to delay the trial in connection with his death, accusing the defence of slowing down the judicial process through multiple applications. The matter came up for hearing on Friday after a gap of 14 days, with the accused present in court.

During the hearing, six applications were filed by the accused. Among them, accused Shyamkanu Mahanta submitted an application seeking certain documents, claiming they had not been provided to him. Another application sought the unfreezing of a bank account. Co-accused Siddharth Sharma filed pleas citing jurisdictional issues to seek relief from the case and requested that police documents from Singapore be produced.

However, only two of the six applications were taken up for hearing on Friday. Nearly one and a half hours were spent on Mahanta’s plea seeking documents, prompting criticism from Zubeen Garg’s wife, Garima Saikia Garg.

Speaking after the hearing, Garima Garg accused Shyamkanu Mahanta of deliberately attempting to delay the proceedings. She reiterated her demand for the constitution of a special court to ensure speedy justice in the case. 

“The legal battle in Zubeen Garg’s case is being deliberately delayed. The defence counsel of Shyamkanu Mahanta is intentionally trying to drag the proceedings. Till now, Shyamkanu, Siddharth and Amritprabha have shown no remorse. We are demanding the formation of a special court at the earliest. Will Zubeen’s quest for justice go on for years? Our patience will not be tested anymore," said Garima.

Zubeen Garg’s sister, Palmee Borthakur, also expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of the trial. She warned that if the proceedings continue in the current manner, it could take more than 10 years for a verdict to be delivered. Borthakur called for the formation of a fast-track court and day-to-day hearings, stating that the judicial process should not be prolonged further.

Legal observer Apurba Sarma stated that hearings on three applications filed by Shyamkanu Mahanta have been completed and the court is expected to deliver its decision on February 16. He added that three applications filed by Siddharth have also been heard and that the case is currently in the document exchange stage. Sharma reiterated the demand for a special fast-track court, cautioning that the trial could otherwise drag on for decades.

The court has scheduled the next hearing in the case for February 16. Whether all pending applications will be taken up on that day remains to be seen.

Also Read: If Zubeen Doesn’t Get Justice, Who Will?”: Garima Garg’s Emotional Plea Before Judicial Commission