The Supreme Court on Monday, 5 October 2026, deferred the bail hearing of Shyamkanu Mahanta, one of the key accused in the case linked to the death of Assam's celebrated singer Zubeen Garg in Singapore, posting the matter for further consideration in the first week of November. Mahanta is among the accused against whom a fast-track court has framed murder charges.

State of the Trial

During the hearing, the Assam government apprised the apex court of the progress of the trial, informing it that examination of witnesses was actively underway. According to the state's submission, statements of 94 out of 394 witnesses had been recorded as of 14 August. Several key witnesses based in Singapore are yet to be examined, and their statements are expected to be recorded shortly.

The Supreme Court had previously directed state authorities to ensure that the trial proceeds expeditiously and without unnecessary delay. The progress of the trial has been taken into account while assessing Mahanta's bail application.

Who Is in Custody

Mahanta, who was reportedly associated with the organisation of the North East India Festival in Singapore, was arrested in October 2025 — approximately a month after Garg's death. He is currently lodged in Baksa jail along with five other accused. In total, seven individuals have been arrested in connection with the case, including Garg's bandmate Shekhar Jyoti Goswami. A fast-track court has framed murder charges against four of the accused, including Mahanta.

The Death That Shook Assam

Garg, widely regarded as one of Assam's most beloved musical and cultural icons, died in Singapore in September 2025 following an incident at sea. His death sent waves of grief across Assam and raised serious questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident. The Assam government subsequently ordered a criminal investigation, which led to multiple arrests and the initiation of criminal proceedings.

Investigators have examined the sequence of events leading up to Garg's presence in Singapore and the circumstances that preceded his death, though the full picture remains the subject of ongoing legal proceedings.

What Happens Next

With key Singapore-based witnesses still to be examined, the prosecution's evidence-gathering phase remains incomplete. The Supreme Court is scheduled to take up Mahanta's bail plea afresh in the first week of November. The outcome of that hearing is likely to hinge on the pace of witness examination and the overall progress of the trial at the fast-track court in Assam.