Zubeen Garg death case: Gauhati HC rejects Shyamkanu Mahanta's bail plea
Synopsis
For the second time, a court has refused bail to Shyamkanu Mahanta in the Zubeen Garg death case — a case where Assam's CM has called it 'plain and simple murder' even as Singapore Police found no evidence of foul play. The diverging conclusions of two sovereign investigations make this one of the most legally complex cases in Assam's recent history.
Key Takeaways
The Gauhati High Court rejected the bail plea of Shyamkanu Mahanta , a prime accused in the Zubeen Garg death case , on 29 May .
A fast track court had previously dismissed Mahanta's bail application in the same case.
The Assam CID SIT filed a charge sheet in December 2025 , naming 7 accused , with 4 booked on charges of murder .
Zubeen Garg died on 19 September while swimming near Lazarus Island, Singapore , a day before a scheduled NEIF performance.
Singapore Police found no evidence of foul play, a conclusion Assam authorities say will not affect the state's investigation.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has described the case as a 'plain and simple murder' on the floor of the state Assembly.
The Gauhati High Court has rejected the bail application of Shyamkanu Mahanta, a festival organiser and one of the prime accused in the Zubeen Garg death case, officials confirmed on Friday, 29 May. The ruling marks the second successive rejection of Mahanta's bail — a fast track court had earlier dismissed an identical application — deepening the legal jeopardy for those named in the charge sheet.
What the Court Said
According to officials, the Gauhati High Court took note of the gravity of the allegations and the ongoing investigation before denying bail to Mahanta. Legal experts noted that the court's refusal signals that the probe is at a sensitive juncture and that releasing the accused could potentially compromise the inquiry. The High Court's order was welcomed by family members and supporters of the late singer, who called it 'an important step towards a fair investigation and trial.'
Background: The Death of Zubeen Garg
Celebrated Assamese singer Zubeen Garg died on 19 September last year while swimming near Lazarus Island in Singapore. The incident occurred just one day before he was scheduled to perform at an event organised under the NEIF banner. His death triggered widespread public grief and political reaction across Assam.
Following the incident, the Assam Police's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which conducted an extensive probe and filed a charge sheet in December 2025. The charge sheet named seven accused individuals, including Mahanta, with four of them booked on charges of murder.
Government Stance and Diverging Investigations
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had described the case as a 'plain and simple murder' during a discussion in the state Assembly, making the government's position unambiguous. Notably, however, a parallel investigation by the Singapore Police reached a contrasting conclusion, finding no evidence of foul play in Garg's death.
Assam authorities have since maintained that the findings of the foreign probe will not influence the ongoing investigation and trial within the state — a stance that has added a cross-jurisdictional dimension to an already complex case.
Public Reaction and What Comes Next
The case has continued to generate intense reactions on social media, with users rallying under the campaign 'Justice for Zubeen Garg' and demanding strict punishment for those implicated. The rejection of Mahanta's bail is expected to keep public attention firmly on the legal proceedings.
With the charge sheet filed and bail denied at both the fast track court and High Court levels, the case now moves closer to trial. The next bail hearing, if any, is expected to be a critical stage in the proceedings.
Point of View
Now by the High Court — suggest the judiciary views the investigation as too fragile to risk accused interference, which is significant. But the deeper tension in this case is jurisdictional: Assam's CID has charged four people with murder while Singapore Police concluded there was no foul play. These are not reconcilable positions, and the trial will eventually have to confront that contradiction head-on. Chief Minister Sarma's 'plain and simple murder' declaration from the Assembly floor, while politically emphatic, also raises questions about the separation of executive commentary and judicial process. The case is as much a test of institutional credibility as it is a criminal proceeding.
NationPress
2 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Shyamkanu Mahanta's bail rejected by the Gauhati High Court?
The Gauhati High Court rejected Mahanta's bail on 29 May, citing the seriousness of the allegations and the ongoing investigation. The court determined that releasing the accused at this stage could potentially influence the probe.
Who was Zubeen Garg and how did he die?
Zubeen Garg was a celebrated Assamese singer who died on 19 September last year while swimming near Lazarus Island in Singapore, one day before a scheduled NEIF concert. His death sparked widespread public grief and a criminal investigation by the Assam CID.
What does the Assam CID charge sheet say?
The Assam CID's SIT filed a charge sheet in December 2025 naming seven accused individuals, including Shyamkanu Mahanta. Four of the accused have been booked on charges of murder.
Why do Singapore Police and Assam Police have conflicting findings?
Singapore Police, which conducted a parallel investigation, found no evidence of foul play in Zubeen Garg's death. Assam authorities have maintained that the foreign probe's conclusions will not affect the ongoing investigation and trial in the state, creating a cross-jurisdictional conflict.
What is the current status of the case?
With bail denied at both the fast track court and Gauhati High Court levels, the case is moving toward trial. Public pressure under the 'Justice for Zubeen Garg' campaign continues, and the next stage of legal proceedings is expected to be closely watched.
