Shyamkanu Mahanta Files New Bail Request in Zubeen Garg Case
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Guwahati, April 10 (NationPress) In a notable turn of events in the prominent death investigation of Assamese vocalist Zubeen Garg, Shyamkanu Mahanta, organizer of the North East India Festival (NEIF), submitted a new bail request to a specialized fast-track court in Guwahati on Friday.
The court has set the hearing for this request on April 22.
As per Special Public Prosecutor Ziaur Kamar, the defense initially sought an earlier hearing on April 13, but the court opted for April 22 to address the matter.
The prosecution plans to submit an official objection to the bail request prior to the hearing.
Mahanta, identified as one of the main suspects in the case, previously filed a bail application but later retracted it.
His recent submission comes amid the ongoing daily trial in the designated fast-track court.
This case revolves around the demise of Zubeen Garg, who passed away on September 19 last year while swimming near Lazarus Island in Singapore.
The incident took place just a day before the singer was set to perform at an event under the NEIF umbrella.
In the aftermath, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the Assam Police’s CID conducted a thorough inquiry and filed a chargesheet in December.
This chargesheet implicated seven individuals, including Mahanta, four of whom are facing murder charges, amplifying the seriousness of the case.
Previously, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described the case as a “clear-cut murder” during a discussion in the state Assembly, emphasizing the government’s position on the issue.
Meanwhile, a concurrent investigation by the Singapore Police reached a contrasting conclusion, asserting that there was no evidence indicating foul play in Garg’s death.
Nonetheless, Assam authorities have stated that the findings from the foreign investigation will not sway the ongoing inquiry and trial within the state.
The case continues to garner extensive public and political interest, with the impending bail hearing anticipated to be a pivotal moment in the legal proceedings.