Zubeen Garg death case: Assam CM hopes fast-track court delivers justice
Synopsis
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has publicly backed the fast-track court to deliver justice in the Zubeen Garg death case — a case where seven accused, including a festival organiser and the singer's own manager, face charges ranging from murder to criminal conspiracy. With the first accused now out on bail and protests still simmering, the trial is far from over.
Key Takeaways
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on 12 October 2026 expressed hope that the fast-track court would deliver justice in the Zubeen Garg death case.
Zubeen Garg died on 19 September 2025 while swimming off Lazarus Island , Singapore, during the North East India Festival .
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) filed a chargesheet naming seven accused , including festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta and the singer's manager Siddhartha Sharma , for murder and related charges.
The fast-track court has framed murder charges against four of the accused.
Amritprava Mahanta , the first accused to secure bail, was granted relief by the Gauhati High Court on a bond of ₹50,000 .
Protests by the singer's wife Garima Saikia Garg and his fan club continue, with civil society groups demanding a transparent trial.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday, 12 October 2026, expressed confidence that the fast-track court hearing the death case of legendary Assamese singer Zubeen Garg would deliver justice, as protests by the singer's wife Garima Saikia Garg and his fan club continued to mount pressure for accountability.
What the Chief Minister Said
Responding to media queries about ongoing protests, Sarma maintained that the government was unable to comment on matters pending before the High Court or the Supreme Court. However, he drew a clear distinction for the fast-track proceedings, expressing direct confidence in that forum. 'We are hopeful that we will get good justice from the fast-track court,' Sarma said.
Background: Garg's Death and the Investigation
The case stems from the death of Zubeen Garg on 19 September 2025 in Singapore, where he drowned while swimming off Lazarus Island during his visit to attend the North East India Festival. His passing triggered widespread grief across Assam and intensified demands for a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the incident.
Following public outrage, the Assam government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case. The SIT's work led to the arrest of several individuals connected to the singer and the festival, and ultimately to the filing of a chargesheet.
Key Accused and Charges
The SIT chargesheet named festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, the singer's manager Siddhartha Sharma, co-singer Amritprava Mahanta, and musician Shekharjyoti Goswami as accused of murder. Sandipan Garg was charged with culpable homicide, while security personnel Nandeswar Bora and Paresh Baishya faced charges of conspiracy and criminal breach of trust.
The fast-track court subsequently framed murder charges against four of the accused, marking a significant step forward in the judicial process.
Bail and Latest Developments
In a notable recent development, the Gauhati High Court granted bail to co-singer Amritprava Mahanta on a bond of ₹50,000. She had been arrested on 2 October 2024 following questioning by investigators and was lodged in Haflong Jail. She is the first accused in the case to secure bail.
The bail order came amid ongoing proceedings involving other accused, including festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, whose bail plea remains under judicial consideration. This comes amid sustained pressure from civil society groups and fans demanding a transparent trial.
Public Sentiment and What's Next
Garg's death continues to evoke deep emotions across Assam. Fans, civil society groups, and his family have consistently demanded accountability and a fair trial. The case — now split across the fast-track court and higher courts on bail matters — is expected to remain a focal point of public attention as proceedings continue in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
But it also spotlights a structural tension: justice for a beloved public figure is being processed across multiple judicial forums simultaneously, risking fragmented outcomes. The bail granted to the first accused, even on a relatively modest bond, will be watched closely by Garg's family and fans as a signal of judicial direction. The fact that protests persist more than a year after Garg's death suggests that public faith in the process — not just the verdict — is what is on trial here.
NationPress
12 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Zubeen Garg?
Legendary Assamese singer Zubeen Garg died on 19 September 2025 while swimming off Lazarus Island in Singapore, where he had travelled to attend the North East India Festival. His death triggered widespread grief in Assam and demands for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Who are the accused in the Zubeen Garg death case?
The SIT chargesheet named seven individuals: festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, the singer's manager Siddhartha Sharma, co-singer Amritprava Mahanta, and musician Shekharjyoti Goswami face murder charges; Sandipan Garg is charged with culpable homicide; and security personnel Nandeswar Bora and Paresh Baishya face charges of conspiracy and criminal breach of trust.
What did Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma say about the case?
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on 12 October 2026 that he was hopeful the fast-track court would deliver justice. He declined to comment on matters pending before the High Court or the Supreme Court, citing the sub-judice nature of those proceedings.
Has anyone been granted bail in the Zubeen Garg case?
Yes. The Gauhati High Court recently granted bail to co-singer Amritprava Mahanta on a bond of ₹50,000. She had been arrested on 2 October 2024 and lodged in Haflong Jail, making her the first accused in the case to secure bail. Bail pleas of other accused, including Shyamkanu Mahanta, remain under judicial consideration.
What is the current status of the fast-track court proceedings?
The fast-track court has framed murder charges against four of the accused. The case is simultaneously being heard at the fast-track court level and the Gauhati High Court on bail matters, with proceedings ongoing as of October 2026.
