Zubeen Garg death case: Amritprabha Mahanta released from Haflong jail after HC bail
Synopsis
Amritprabha Mahanta has become the first accused to walk free in the Zubeen Garg death case, released from Haflong sub-jail on 13 October after the Gauhati High Court's bail order. The court noted prima facie violations of Garg's prescribed medical precautions — but left the question of criminal liability firmly for trial. Six other accused, including a festival organiser charged with murder, remain in custody.
Key Takeaways
Amritprabha Mahanta was released from Haflong sub-jail on 13 October 2026 , four days after the Gauhati High Court granted her bail.
She is the first accused to secure bail in the main case relating to Zubeen Garg's death.
Bail was granted by Justice Pranjal Das on 9 October 2026 on a bond of ₹50,000 with two sureties of the same amount.
The High Court noted, prima facie, that several medical precautions prescribed for Garg appeared to have been violated before his death.
Zubeen Garg , 52 , died on 19 September 2025 while swimming off Singapore during the North East India Festival .
The SIT chargesheet names seven accused ; charges against all accused remain subject to ongoing trial proceedings.
Singer Amritprabha Mahanta, an accused in the death case of Assam's beloved cultural icon Zubeen Garg, walked out of Haflong sub-jail on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, four days after the Gauhati High Court granted her bail. She becomes the first accused to secure bail in the main case linked to Garg's death, following completion of all required legal formalities.
How the Bail Was Secured
Justice Pranjal Das of the Gauhati High Court granted Mahanta bail on 9 October 2026, on the condition that she furnish a bond of ₹50,000 along with two sureties of the same amount. Special Public Prosecutor Ziaul Kamar confirmed the court's decision following hearings that continued over several days. Mahanta had been lodged in the prison since 17 October 2025.
What the High Court Observed
In its detailed order, the High Court noted that several medical precautions prescribed for Garg appeared, prima facie, to have been violated before his death. The court observed that the singer, who had multiple health conditions, should ideally have had a dedicated caretaker or medical attendant to ensure compliance with prescribed medical protocol. However, the court made clear that determining whether any accused bore criminal liability for those alleged violations would be decided during the trial — not at the bail stage.
The Circumstances of Zubeen Garg's Death
Zubeen Garg, 52, died on 19 September 2025 while swimming in the sea off Singapore, where he had travelled to attend the North East India Festival. His passing triggered widespread outrage across Assam, with fans and civil society groups demanding a thorough investigation. The Assam government subsequently constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Chargesheet and Accused
The SIT chargesheet named seven accused. Festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, Garg's manager Siddhartha Sharma, and bandmates Shekharjyoti Goswami and Amritprabha Mahanta were charged with murder. Garg's cousin Sandipan Garg was charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, while personal security officers Nandeswar Bora and Paresh Baishya faced charges of criminal conspiracy and criminal breach of trust.
What Mahanta's Release Means
Mahanta's walk to freedom is a procedural development, not an exoneration. Her bail does not amount to an acquittal, and the charges against her and the remaining accused continue to be subject to judicial determination. Trial proceedings are ongoing, and the full legal reckoning over Garg's death remains ahead.
Point of View
But its observation that Garg's medical precautions were 'prima facie' violated is a significant judicial signal at this early stage. The case exposes a troubling gap in how organisers and entourages manage the health of artists travelling for high-profile cultural events — a systemic issue that the trial must squarely address. That Mahanta is the only one of seven accused to have secured bail so far suggests the court is taking the gravity of the charges seriously. For Assam, where Zubeen Garg was more than a musician, the trial's outcome will be measured not just as a legal verdict but as a test of institutional accountability.
NationPress
13 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Amritprabha Mahanta in jail?
Amritprabha Mahanta was arrested as one of seven accused in the death case of singer Zubeen Garg. The SIT chargesheet charged her with murder in connection with the circumstances surrounding Garg's death in Singapore on 19 September 2025. She had been lodged in Haflong sub-jail since 17 October 2025.
What were the bail conditions set by the Gauhati High Court?
Justice Pranjal Das of the Gauhati High Court granted bail on 9 October 2026 on the condition that Amritprabha Mahanta furnish a personal bond of ₹50,000 along with two sureties of the same amount. All legal formalities were completed by 13 October, when she was released.
How did Zubeen Garg die?
Zubeen Garg, 52, died on 19 September 2025 while swimming in the sea off Singapore, where he had travelled to attend the North East India Festival. The Assam government constituted a Special Investigation Team to probe the circumstances of his death following widespread public outrage.
Who are the other accused in the Zubeen Garg death case?
The SIT chargesheet named seven accused: festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, manager Siddhartha Sharma, and bandmates Shekharjyoti Goswami and Amritprabha Mahanta (charged with murder); Garg's cousin Sandipan Garg (charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder); and personal security officers Nandeswar Bora and Paresh Baishya (charged with criminal conspiracy and criminal breach of trust).
Does Amritprabha Mahanta's bail mean she has been acquitted?
No. Her release on bail is not an acquittal. The charges against her and the other accused remain active, and the trial is ongoing. The Gauhati High Court explicitly stated that questions of criminal liability will be determined during the trial, not at the bail stage.
