The Gauhati High Court is scheduled to hear the bail plea of Shyamkanu Mahanta on Friday in connection with the death case of Assamese singer Zubeen Garg.IANS reports say that the second hearing of Mahanta’s bail plea will be before the bench headed by Justice Mitali Thakuria. The matter remains one of the most followed cases in Assam.In the previous hearing held on May 15, the court directed the parties concerned to submit an additional affidavit before May 18. Reports say that the court will now consider fresh submissions and affidavits before deciding on the bail application. Mahanta has been in judicial custody for several months after being named among the accused in the investigation into the singer’s death.
Research continues to attract attention
The case relates to the death of Zubeen Garg, who died in a swimming incident near Singapore’s Lazarus Island on September 19 last year.The singer reportedly traveled there before a performance related to an event organized under the banner of NEIF. After the incident, the Assam Police CID formed a Special Investigation Team to conduct a detailed investigation into the matter. As a result of the investigation, a charge sheet was presented in December. The charge sheet reportedly named seven accused persons, including Shyamkanu Mahanta. Among them, four people were accused of murder, which significantly increased the seriousness of the investigation and attracted a wide public debate.
Strong stand of Assam Govt
Earlier, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma spoke on the issue during a debate in the state Assembly. While dealing with the case, the chief minister called it a “plain and simple murder”. His statements gave the investigation more political attention and strengthened the state government’s stance on the matter.
The Singapore probe reached a different conclusion
At the same time, a separate investigation by the Singapore Police reportedly came to a different conclusion about the singer’s death. According to reports, Singaporean authorities stated that there was no evidence to suggest foul play in the incident. Despite the differing findings, Assam authorities have said that the findings of the foreign inquiry will not affect the ongoing legal process or the ongoing investigation in the state.Officials have continued to insist that the Assam investigation is continuing independently based on evidence gathered by the Special Investigation Team.
