HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, May 29: The Gauhati High Court on Friday rejected the bail plea of Shyamkanu Mahanta, the prime accused in the death case of Assamese music icon Zubeen Garg, citing the risk of absconding, tampering with evidence and influencing witnesses.
The order came after a Special Fast-Track Court had earlier denied him bail on similar grounds.
Related Posts:
A single-judge bench of Justice Mitali Thakuria rejected Mahanta’s plea after hearing arguments from both sides.
Addressing the media after the hearing, Assam Advocate General Devajit Saikia said the prosecution had placed several crucial points before the court, which were taken into consideration while denying bail.
Saikia said the court accepted the prosecution’s argument that Mahanta posed a flight risk and could abscond if released.
He also stated that Mahanta had allegedly erased data from his mobile phone, which investigators later retrieved, raising concerns about possible destruction of evidence.
The Advocate General further alleged that Mahanta had prepared dictated notes for co-accused and singer Amrit Prabha Mahanta regarding statements to be made during the investigation, prompting concerns about witness influence and interference in the probe.
The case relates to the death of Zubeen Garg, who died on September 19 last year while swimming near Lazarus Island in Singapore, a day before he was scheduled to perform at the North East India Festival (NEIF).
Following widespread public outrage and more than 60 FIRs lodged across Assam, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the CID conducted an extensive probe and filed a chargesheet naming seven accused, including Mahanta.
On May 26, the Special Fast-Track Court framed charges against all seven accused.
Apart from Mahanta, those facing trial include Siddharth Sharma, Shekhar Jyoti Goswami, Amrit Prabha Mahanta, DSP Sandipan Garg, and personal security officers Nandeswar Bora and Prabin Baishya.
They have been charged under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including murder, culpable homicide not amounting to murder, criminal conspiracy and causing death by negligence.
Mahanta, chief organiser of the NEIF, faces eight charges, while the remaining accused face varying numbers of charges.
Amrit Prabha Mahanta, who had travelled to Singapore with the singer, remains in judicial custody.
The case has attracted intense public attention, with social media campaigns demanding justice for the late singer.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier described the case as a “plain and simple murder” in the State Assembly.
Meanwhile, a separate investigation by the Singapore Police Force concluded that there was no evidence of foul play.
A Singapore Coroner’s Court also observed that Garg had drowned near Lazarus Island after declining a life jacket and while under severe intoxication.
However, Assam authorities have maintained that the findings of the Singapore investigation will not affect the ongoing trial in the state. (With inputs from PTI)
